chaka fattah took an illegal 1 million-dollar campaign loan for his unsuccessful 2007 mayoral campaign. four of his associates are going to trial with fattah. two others have pleaded guilty. his son is serving time for corruption conviction. this trial could last 8 weeks. a lot of people are closely watching, chaka fattah maintains he has done nothing wrong. katherine scott channel 6 "action news." >>> happening today, a tony and grammy award winner will speak to the 260th graduate class. miranda will receive a doctor of arts degree during the commencement the ceremony will takes place at franklin field. >>> vice president joe biden and donald trump attended a graduation ceremony at penn yesterday. trump's daughter if i have -- tiffany, and vice president's granddaughter graduated. >>> biden came up on stage for his daughter. >>> it's kind of cool talking about my brother graduated to say there are two important people here. >>> trump graduated from penn's wharton school of business in 1968. trump and biden are not expected to attend the main graduation today. >>> well wishers waveye t

it's a chance for the prosecution to lay out its case before chaka fattah. ed of bribery, misusing campaign funds and farrallon grats. he claims the fbi unfairly targeted him. two of his former aides have pleaded guilty. we'll be inside for the start of this trial. reporting live outside of federal court, i'm pamela osbor osborne, nbc 10 news. >>> now your nbc 10 first alert weather. >> the good news is we have nine. the bad news, it's chilly outside. we'll see the temperatures warm into the 60s this afternoon, but gusty winds will blow a few clouds through. not as many clouds as we saw yesterday. 60s today and enjoy the sunshine today because rain is on tap for tomorrow. no sign of any of that for today. >>> all right. tracy and i are headed to the green tree school for deaf and autistic kids. it's going to be a good time. we'll do that this morning. it's going to be fun. >> have a great trip. >> thanks for watching. >> will we see you tomorrow? >> yes. >> we'll be back. >> fantastic. >>> good morning. oh, the places you'll go. >> it's not cool to not know w

the corruption trial of congressman chaka fattah, begins this morning, down the street in the federal courthouse. >> fattah is charged with misusing cam paper fund and grants to pay off loans from the failed philadelphia mayoral run. >> steve is on the story, down the street, hi there, steve. >> reporter: i think tv viewers here in philadelphia are sick of seeing corruption trials, period here in philadelphia they happen as regularly as mummers parade does every year. just three months after his son chaka fattah junior, got convicted here and sentenced to five years in the federal pen, fattah senior today starts facing a jury and his 29 count federal indictment. he he is going on trial were four aids at the same time, so we're talking lots of lawyers. today for instance you'll get prosecution opening statement and five defense opening statements. six opening statement in one day, means lots of charges, lots of confusion for this jury of 12 non-legal will scholars to listen to and then sort out months from now. fattah just got elect, or voted out of office after being elect 11 times as

person suffered minor injuries. >>> opening statement are set to begin in the trial of congressman chaka fattah. the pennsylvania democrat is accused of excepting bribes, and misusing campaign funds, in federal grants. the fattah continues to maintain his innocence, and says the fbi unfairly targeted him. >> president obama will present the medal of valor, the officer killed in march of last year, when two men tried to rob a video game store. the award honors first responders for courage while trying to save other. >> facebook headmark sucker session saidel express the trending, at facebook headquarters. facebook accused of is up pre "action news" items about conservative topics. site says it has no evidence to back up these accusations. conservative hoses says zuckerberg wanted to meet wednesday to explain what happened and to assure conservatives it won't happen again. >> well, time is now 4:49. time for check on business news. >> mine watch's jill wagner joins us live this morning from the new york stock exchange. jill, we are hearing there could be some progress in the ongoing verizon strik

house appropriations committee, recently, he lost his primary bid for re-election. >> own son, chaka fattah junior now serving five year prison term in related case, four former aides going on trial with fattah, and two others have pleaded guilty. >> could february decades in prison being expected to start, we'll here to cover, jan carabeo, cbs-3, "eyewitness news", brooke, back to you. >> thanks a lot, jan. happening today, president obama honors slain philadelphia police officer robert wilson iii. the president will present wilson's family with a public safety officer metal of valor. award create in the 2001 to honor first responders for moment of bravery and courage, the 30 year old officer was killed last march, when two men tried to rob a north philadelphia game to the store. twelve other officers will also get the award. >> grief counselors will be at bridgeton high school to help student dealing with the death of two classmates, the teenage girl were killed, saturday, when they crashed into a tree just while driving home from their prepare two, other girls also in the car, we just ch

corruption trial of the congressman chaka fattah begins today in the philadelphia federal courtroom. >> fattah charged with misusing campaign fund from a failed philadelphia mayoral run in 2007. steve keeley live, in center city with more on this hi steve. >> reporter: bring got in tv news when i was growing up watching philadelphia television i like everybody else got so used to seeing a lot of philadelphia apologytitions being walk in here in to federal court. it has been continuing since i started doing this for a career. philadelphia political trials happen way more often then philadelphia sports teams winning championships. chaka fattah the latest, like vince fumo before him faces federal trial after decade in public office. voters just reject him after 11 wins for his congressional seat just days ago and now he has 12 more vote tours face in a federal jury. at age 59 fattah fists starting his 60's in a federal prison and maybe a lot of it, if convicted. twenty-nine charges of fattah using federal government money intended for public service for his private use. this case, chris

his son chaka fattah junior is serving time for a corruption conviction. this trial could last 8 weeks. all along fattah has maintained he has done nothing wrong. katherine scott channel 6 "action news." >>> thank you for that. >>> 6:05. police say a man killed his girlfriend inside a bucks county motel on fire in a painfully bizarre ways toking gas on her while she was smoking a cigarette. it happened at the lincoln hotel early yesterday morning. kevin smalls bought a cup of gasoline from the wawa across the street, he came back to the motel and flung it on 46-year-old melissa bacon smith while she was smoking and left. smalls said he got angry when bacon smith laughed at him. officers found smalls not far away with burns to his hands. several people at the hotel were taken to the hospital for smoke, they are expected to be okay. >>> grief counselors and chaplains will be on hand today days after two students were killed in a car crash. daisia sulton and mikayla mosley had attended the prom on friday night. their car hit a tree in maurice river township l

us representative chaka fattah's trial scheduled to start here, in the courthouse behind me right around 10:00 this morning, with opening statements. now, if he convicted, fattah could face decades behind bars. >> veteran pennsylvania congressman, chaka fattah, will step foot in a courtroom today to face charges in his federal corruption trial. the 59 year old is accused of excepting bribes, and misusing campaign funds and federal grants to enrich his family and friends. the indictment alleges fattah took illegal $1 million campaign loan for his failed 2007 mayoral campaign, and misused federal funds to pay it back. fattah has maintained his innocence, speaking with "eyewitness news" on bummer of cakes action and fb unfairly targeted. >> any and all every these allegations, i've never been involved, represented the philadelphia region, for decades, and served on the house appropriations committee, receipt endly he lost his primary bid for re-election. >> in a related case, four former aides also going on trial, with fattah, and two other have pleaded guilty. >> now, fattah's political ca

opening statements are set to begin as the corruption trial gets underway for chaka fattah. the 11-term congressman is accused of accepting bribes and misusing campaign funds to pay off debt and enrich family and friends. he lost his bid for a 12th term in last month's primary. fattah and four associates are charged with racquet tiering and wire fraud and money laundering. two other aids pleaded guilty. his son is serving a sentence for corruption conviction. fattah said he was and failure targeted by the fbi and he has done nothing wrong. the trial could last 8 weeks. >>> 5:03. police say a man killed his girlfriend and set a bucks county motel on fire in a painfully bizarre ways toking gas on her as he smoked a cigarette. this happened at the lincoln hotel in bensalem. kevin small bought a cup of gas at a wawa across the street and tossed it on elizabeth bacon smith when he got angry. officers found smalls not far away with burns to his hands. he is charged with criminal homicide and arson. several people at the hotel were taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation, they ar

chaka fattah sr. is accused in federal court of masterminding a five scheme fraud and conspiracy racket including taking bribes and laundering the money. one phase of the case centers around wealthy friend herb vederman. in court prosecutors called him a human atm machine for the 11 term congressman and his family hoping the powerful washington insider could land him an ambassadorship from the obama white house. prosecutors say he paid off the college tuition and gambling bills of fattah's son chaka jr. and disguised $18,000 he gave over for a dummy car purchase used by fattah and his wife to close on a vacation home in the poconos. late today congressman fattah spoke briefly with reporters. >> i think this has been a good first day and we'll begin again in the morning. >> reporter: fattah's lawyer told the jury of one african-american and 11 white that is vederman was a rich good friend of fattah's and did nothing that rises to the level of bribery. fattah's lawyer dismissed two of fattah's political

just months after his son chaka fattah junior got quick here and sentenced to five years in the federal pen, fattah senior now faces a jury and at 29 counts in a federal indictment. he is going on trial were four aids at the same time so lots of lawyers, lots of charges, and lots of confusion likely for a jury of 12, non-legal will scholars to listen to and sort out a few months from now. fattah just got voted out of office three weeks ago losing a primary election after 11 terms, 22 years in congress. now most of his final days will be in court and in the congress. maybe he will end his time as a congressman by starting his time as a convict. all this is as philadelphia a state senator larry farnese just got indict i had, farnese replaced state senator vince fumo who got prison, fumo replaced buddy cianfrani. you get the idea. long line continues. so does maybe that continuous parade to prison as politicians march through philadelphia's federal court, one after the other. parade starts here just eight blocks from where the mummers march every year. ken rottweiler will be on with jeff c

chaka fattah sr. federal court of masterminding a five scheme fraud and conspiracy racket including

representative chaka fattah. congressman fattah arrived in court earlier this morning.'s accused of misusing millions of dollars and lying about it. four others are also on trial with fattah and fattah denies all charges. stay with "nbc 10" of course with updates all day on congressman fattah's corruption trial. you can get up to the minute information on the "nbc 10" app and nbc10.com. back with chief meteorologist gle glenn hurricane schwartz. this system is out in the valley and it's moving fast. >> you can see how pretty it is but it's cold and windy today. we're going to kind of trade off the wind and the cold for some moisture. >> rain. >> the rain moving past st. louis right now. it's moving pretty quickly. it's not a real strong storm, but it will be in and bringing a lot of clouds tomorrow to help keep the temperature down and then on wednesday perhaps more showers, at least into the morning. >> thursday, friday looks great. thanks for watching "nbc 10 news" at 11:00. i'm vai sikahema and for glenn hurricane schwartz and for all of us on "nbc 10," have a great

chaka fattah federal corruption trial expected to start behind me here at the federal courthouse in center city today right around 10:00 with opening statements. >> my husband who i will putter in charge -- because he knows thousand do it. >> out and about stomping for votes ahead of tuesday primaries in kentucky and oregon. republican presidential frontrunner donald trump taking a break from the campaign trail, to see daughter dif any graduate with a degree in sociology. but trump and biden families causing bit of stir in the stands during today's commencement ceremony at the university of pennsylvania. >> sometimes sports, sometimes it is ugly. and yesterday was a prime example when the bench cleared during the blue jays-rangers game. expect suspensions to be handed down today. >> wait and see if it warms up little bit. little chilly out there. >> specially when the winds blows, and barely light as a breeze right now, too, but man you feel it. if you are ready to hit the road after this report this morning, grab something heavier out of the closet here, because it is cold outside. and an

us representative chaka fattah appearing in center city federal court today for opening statements in his corruption trial. prosecutors say the 11-term congressman misused federal money and campaign funds. >> but fattah claims investigators are just not treating him fairly. fox 29's jeff cole was inside the courtroom today. he's now outside the federal court in center city. jeff? >> reporter: the federal government says that chaka fattah was involved in a conspiracy to steal money. the defense attorneys say the feds have it all correct me if i'm wrong. they're relying on two guys they flipped who are now felons trying to stay out of jail. wearing his ever present smile and striding confidently representative chaka fattah offered a sunny message as he entered federal court for his trial. >> i'm thankful and grateful for the spent and love of my family and i'm extraordinarily appreciative of the great legal team from the schnader firm that will be lead mike effort here. >> reporter: inside assistant u.s. attorney paul gray opened a broad side on the 11-term congressman. accusing fattah

representative chaka fattah. >>> and it feels like fall this morning. temperatures in the 30s and 40s right now. and we're close to setting a new record low. it's 4:00 a.m. this monday morning. good morning, this is "nbc 10 news today." i'm tracy davidson. let's get right to meteorologist bill henley with his first alert neighborhood forecast. a close look at conditions at communities across pennsylvania, new jersey and delaware. fair to say it's just chilly, right? >> you'll have to bunt uhl up this morning. the temperatures are still falling, 37 degrees in the suburbs. new jersey is at 38 degrees. this afternoon we'll warm with sunshine into the 60s. it's going to take most of the day to get there. low 40s right now at the shore. south jersey is 38 degrees. look at the suburbs, 37 degrees right now and still falling. some of these numbers getting near record low temperatures. unionville just 1 degree above freezing. exton is 37 degrees and it is 37 in perkasie and bedminster as well. a cold start but a sunny day today. get ready for plenty of sunshine

chaka fattah's federal corruption trial is expected to start behind me here at the federal courthouse in center city today right around 10:00 with opening statements. take a look at the video. the veteran pennsylvania congressman is accused of excepting bribes and misusing campaign funds in federal grant to enrich his family and friends. the indictment alleges the 59 year old took illegal $1 million campaign loan for failed 2007 mayoral campaign and missed federal funds to pay it back. fattah maintained his innocence, and has said the fbi unfairly targeted him. the 11 term democrat has represented the philadelphia region for two decades, and served on the house appropriations committee. he lost his recent primary bid for re-election, four members, four former aides, also going on trial with fattah today, two other have pleaded guilty, and fattah's own son is serving a five year prison

when the congressman's son chaka fattah jr.ad debts to drexel university, it was nailer who used to pay them down. he made it look like chaka fattah jr. was working for his company when in was not. he was candid, telling the jury he lied to investigators to protect those involved including the congressman. he told the jury the failed bid for mayor was expensivexpensive. he used illegal campaign loan to set up accounts. he had been contacted multiple times by a strategist who secured illegal loan and needed to be paid back. he says the congressman admitted the loan was repaid with federal grant money funled through a private business. he didn't ask any more questions because he felt he didn't need to know anymore. also on the stand today, a vendor to the fattah for mayor campaign who says the campaign racked up a significant debt. though the congressman signed a note he says that debt was never fully repaid. he has made a plea deal with federal authorities and yet to be sentenced. deanna durante. nbc 10 news. >>> now nbc 10 firs

day one of representative chaka fattah's corruption trial is in the books and the high stakes court case started with aggressive opening salvo from the prosecutor in the case alleging fattah's guilt. let's take look at video. representative chaka fattah bounded up to federal court this morning looking confident. he spoke to reporters and went right april side. prosecutor paul gray in an opening statement accuse the 11-term democrat of using federal grant money, campaign dollars, dollars from charities to benefit himself politically and personally. the defense argued fattah had nothing to do with some of the most serious charges including claims he took out an illegal 11, 1 million -- $1 million loan when running for mayor of philadelphia. >> i am thankful and grateful for the love of my family, and i'm extraordinarily appreciative of the great legal team from schnader firm leading my effort here and i want to say thank you to the voters and the citizens who supported me and for their prayers over these many, many years. >> reporter: so representative fattah made that statement today and

. >>> happening today, the corruption trial of chaka fattah. >>> some of you might want to pull out the winter jacket for the morning rush. the western suburbs are waking up to frost this morning. >>> it's cold. let's go over to david and karen. >> reporter: we are waking up to a clear start, we have seen the temperatures drop overnight and we're looking at a cool start. there's the satellite reinforcing the idea we're in store for lots of sun. 40 in trenton him that's a record there. 37 in allentown. 38 in reading. some of the areas looking at new record lows this morning. some frost forming especially right around now. if you run out quickly in the northern and western suburbs and grab the potted plants you'll be okay. berks, lehigh and north hampton counties are the ones with the frost watch. a decent jacket is not a bad idea as you wait for the bus to come rumbling down the road. as we go through the afternoon, we'll have winds up to 20 miles per hour. it's cool, high of 65 degrees. we'll not hit that until late in the afternoon, probably around 5:00 p.m. chilly and jacket weather a

. >>> trial for congressman chaka fattah begins today, the 29 count indictment spelled out by prosecutors what they will argue long time politician has been doing for years. >>> plus, back to school for grieving students after two of their classmates were killed in the crash on prom night, over the weekend, how officials are planning to help them heel. >>> live look outside, into olde city, it feels like winter is back. >> cold out there. >> i know. the temperature you can expect walking out the door this morning and when it will warm backup. good day, it is monday may 16th, 2016. >> 43 degrees right now. the thing that would brighten me up and live even my spirit is your bling. >> look at the that. >> floor director diana gave me something for my morning. >> it is rocking. >> i know. >> sue serio, why is it so darn cold out there. >> because it is. >> because it is. >> because it is no cloud cover. >> that is exactly right. you look out and you see that half moon hanging in the the sky, it is really clear and you have to pay attention, my man to radiation aal cooling. that is why we have

. >>> opening statements are expected in the corruption trial of chaka fattah. >>> you'll be walkingning and asking yourself is it may or november? david murphy has more on the chilly start to your monday. >>> we have a check on roads all next on "action news." on t tradition saving the life of a young girl. abc's rachel smith has the story. >> reporter: the family is fighting to save the life of their dog haus who now say their hero. >> rescue dog for us paid it forward. >> reporter: the pup once rescued by the de luca coming to 7-year-old molly's rescue when a big rattlesnake snuck up. >> she saw him jump back and forward. >> reporter: haus jumped between his owner and the reptile saving the little girl by getting struck three times in the process. >> next thing you know there's blood and, you know, he was limping and crying. >> reporter: the lucky child by her hero dog's side when he underwent emergency treatment. >> getting any better? >> the de luca's go fund me page has raised over $52,000. >> they're caring about haus. >> reporter: he's now on the mend. >> we know them as many

he was part of congressman chaka fattah's attempted run for mayor. in the early days, he warned fattah there wasn't enough money to make a successful run. he says fattah didn't listen and campaign bank accounts started running dry. it was fattah, he says, put liddenfield in touch with the form or ceo of sallie mae. he met with lord more than once and agreed to take $1 million moan for campaign expenses, money used to buy political ads. he put his own company on the line in a promissory note for the lean. he didn't worry about the funds being paid back because he was assured fattah or the campaign would repay it. months after the election, when the money hadn't been paid back, he called fattah and told him the money needed to be repaid. he says fattah told him, quote, i'll take care of it. lynd lyndonfield was contacted by the co-defendant who offered to wire him $600,000. that's the same amount on the outstanding loan. he wired the money back to lord in january 2008, the same day he got it from brand. again, lyndonfield plead guilty, testifying agains

the head and torso is charged with criminal homicide. >>> a key witness took the stand against chaka fattah today. he is charged with taking bribes and misusing funds and federal grants. fattah is maintaining his innocence and vernon odom is live now with more. >> reporter: this is a critical week in the fattah trial. congress fattah and his lawyer entered court to first watch the jury hear more from this man thomas lindenfell, after losing his campaign for mayor. he is a key prosecution witness and made a deal with the government, he plead guilty to wire conspiracy in the corruption case against the congressman and four others. he told the jury that it was fattah that arranged an illegal $1 million loan for the failing campaign and that fattah was okay with the scheme to repay the loan partially by stealing in $600,000 of charitable funds. now they start the cross-examination of lindenfell about his plea and concedes he wants a lenient sentence from judge bartle. with his cooperating testimony, he is trying to avoid a prison term of up to 20 years. in the federal courthouse, in center city

now, chaka fattah's son is currently serving a five-year prison sentence on related charges. reporting live outside of the federal courthouse, pamela osborne, nbc 10 news. >>> stay with nbc 10 for updates all day on congressman fattah's corruption trial. nbc 10's deanna durante will be live at the courthouse later today. you can also get up to the minute information on the nbc 10 app and nbc10.com. >>> 5:34 and 45 degrees outside. happening today in cumberland county, grief counselors will be with the bridgeton high school to help xunts cope with the death of two classmates who died in a crash after the prom. the girls die on their way home from a post-prom celebration in ocean city early saturday morning. two other teens were also hurt in the crash. state police are investigating. >>> well, president obama made history at rutgers by becoming the first sitting president to deliver the commencement address there. >> more than 200 students from rutgers camden boarded a special train. they got to be a part of history. during his address, the president took several swipes at donal

this morning our cameras were there when congressman chaka fattah arrived at federal court. he and four associates, robert brand and former staff member karen nicholas are on trial. there are number of charges including racketeering, wire fraud and moneyaundering. fattah surrounded himself with loyal supporters who gladly committed the crimes with him and rewarded for it. he outlined several schemes lone repayment and another to pay off his son's college debts. his lawyer tells the jury the government's case is based on on the testimony of the two former campaign aids who did the stealing and the fraud. they entered guilty pleas and want leniency from the judge. he spoke briefly on the way in the court today. >>> i am thankful for the love of my family and appreciative of the great legal team that will be leading my effort here. i want to say thank you to the voters and the citizens who supported me and for their prayers over these many, many years. >> reporter: so all five of the defendants in this case pleaded not guilty, the trial could last around 8 weeks. live in federal

happening today, opening statements begin in the chaka fattah federal corruption trial the once prominent philadelphia politician recently lost his re-election bid for the first time in decades and now faces jail time. the trial is expected to take several weeks starting with those opening arguments this morning. the jury was selected from a pool of more than 200 men and women earlier this month. the 11-term congressman is accused of taking bribs and misusing hundreds of thousands in campaign money. he denied the accusations against him. fattah lost the primary for another term in congress. >>> today new jersey lawmakers will consider a bill to raise the minimum wage. the measure would bump the rate to $10.10 an hour next year. it would then increase annually for four years. lawmakers say if the governor refuses to sign the bill, they'll push for a constitutional amendment. >>> right now the minimum wage is 8.38. delaware is 8.25 and in pennsylvania, it's 7.25 an hour. with just six weeks to iron out differences for this coming year's spending plan. current budget wasn't settled until las

chaka fattah has held office for almost 33 years in this area. but just lost the primary election last week. his son, chaka fattah, jr., now serving time in federal prison end attacks charge. >> new jersey assembly speaker says he will put his on rescue plan in atlantic city up for vote tomorrow. the bill would establish performance benchmarks atlantic sit i would have to meet over two years, before full state take over could happen. proposed version of the bill that would give the city just 130 days to get its finances in order. >>> 6:09. one year ago, one girl stood 20% chance to survive. now the college athlete is proving to the world she's fight to go live her life to the fullest. >>> and this: >> for many in the media, like you and others, who have decided that the campaign is over, well, i guess the people of indianna did not quite agree. >> it has been some unbelievable day and evening and year. >> as ted cruz said last night, two words: cruz out. a major candidate shakes out the race for the white house in a big way. bernie sanders hangs

his son chaka fattah, jr. is serving name federal prison on attacks convict. s wife former channel 10 anchor renee' she fault fattah not charged in the case but her actions were described in the indictment as left the station. she says the feds have gotten her activity around the sale her porsche all wrong. after the jury selection, trial for chaka fattah is expected to stop on may 16th. no word tonight lucy on whether any jurors were actually picked this day. >> all right, thank you very much, jeff cole. >>> a big event hosted by the philadelphia eagles spotlighting student athletes who make it their mission to raise money for research in spinal cord injuries. eagles took part in the 11th annual adam telfair row luncheon at the linc. adam who played for penn state was paralyzed in 2000 sand making a tackle. doctors weren't sure he would ever walk again. well, he did. after just three months of rehabilitation. his foundation now raises money for spinal cord education and research and today it honored 14 high school student athletes who helped fundraise for the

representative chaka fattah appeared in center city federal court today for opening statements in his corruption trial. prosecutors say the 11 term congressman misused federal money and campaign funds but fattah claims investigators are just not treating him fairly. fox 29's jeff cole was in court today. >> reporter: wearing his ever present smile and striding confidently, r tiff chaka fattah offered a sunny message as he entered federal court for his trial. >> i'm thankful and grateful for the strength and love of my family and um i'm extraordinarily appreciative of the great legal team from the schnader firm that will be leading my effort here. >> reporter: inside assistant us attorney paul gray opened a broad side on the 11 term congressman accusing fattah of being at the center of a conspiracy to steal federal funds, campaign cash and money from a charity for his personal and political gains. in total the second district representative is facing 29 counts including conspiracy, bribery, and fraud. the biggest charge is this. that he took an illegal $1 million loan when he was runni

his son chaka fattah is in federal prison the result avenue private sector fraud scheme. because of chaka fattah's enduring high profile 400 potential jurors are being screened today through question fairs and direct questioning by court officials. this jury selection process could go on for several more days. a two month trial like this generates plenty of hardship claims from the jury pool. the actual trial itself with testimony and opening statements is set now for may 16th. live at the federal courthouse in olde city, i'm vernon odom, channel6 "action news." >> all right, vernon, thank you. >>> now to a big story that we're following out of new jersey today. despite the fact that it's running on fumes, a financially strapped atlantic city did find a way to make its $1.8 million bond payment today. mayor don guardian held a press conference this morning saying that even though they're what he calls teetering on the edge they did not want to be the first municipality to default on its debt since fort lee did in the 1930's. guardian says this will not affect payroll or s

all right, let's move on to talk about the chaka fattah loss.t's the end of an era, as we all know. an 11-term congressman was unseated in the primary, as it were, by dwight evans. so, a win for dwight, of course. we'll talk about both sides. but was anybody surprised that that's how it actually played out? other people who have been indicted or accused of crimes have gone on to win reelection in other cities. >> i was a bit surprised, because i knew the pitch, and fattah has been in office since he was 26. >> right. >> i know, i've interviewed him a hundred times. and i was surprised that it went that way. dwight's very formidable. you have the corruption allegations out there. >> right. >> i still thought it would be very close, and he might eke it out. >> and what's interesting is, lucien blackwell was who chaka fattah replaced and unseated. now he was unseated as well in a similar primary circumstance, and in that same union hall, as it turns out. >> yeah, i think in the end, as i think i said early on, i think the voters have heard this sto

. >>> now to new developments in the corruption trial of chaka fattah, this afternoon a key witness took to the stand and "action news" reporter vernon odom was live at the courthouse with details on that for us. >> reporter: good afternoon monica, court just wrapped up for the night of star witness for the government on the witness stand this afternoon being led step by step by federal prosecutors through his role in the federal conspiracy allegedly led by chaka fattah. >> his testimony is key in the government's case, he plead guilty to wire fraud in this wide ranging case. he is a former political cult an now cooperating with federal prosecutors, the alleged middle man funneling money to fattah through an educational foundation that fattah created. and they say that fattah laundered hundreds of thousands of dollars through here to pay back a political ben factor. he has been granted immunity. and it was used to prop of his campaign for mayor in '07 and during cross-examination, lawyer mike lee will fight back, saying he did this without the knowledge of the congressman and is hoping f

an fbi agent showed jurors, checks that they say links pennsylvania congressman chaka fattah on trial and in racketeering case in a federal courtroom yesterday. prosecutors worked to show fattah paid an illegal one million-dollar campaign loan, and misused federal fund and charitable grants. four associate are on also trial with chaka fattah and trial is expect to last, listen to this, until the middle of july. >>> a race to replace, the race to replace, republican governor chris christie in new jersey has its first candidate. >> so democrat phil murphy officially declaring himself in the candidate in e-mail sent to supporters. murphy's united states former ambassador to germany. he previously work on wall street and expected to be joined by a crowded field of democrats in next years primary. christie's term runs through the end of 2017 in word on republicans just yet. >>> an attorney for media organizations seeking a list of unindicted coconspirators in the george washington bridge lane closing scandal is rejecting claims by a man on the list who claims that his rights would be viola

. >> i think we have congressman chaka fattah, just arrived at the federal courthouse a couple blocksm the tv station here and there he is for his corruption trial which starts in 30 minutes. >> he did talk to us before heading in the courthouse so here's what he had to say. >> what do you expect this morning congressman as this trial starts here. >> first of all, i'm thankful and grateful for the support of my family and i'm extraordinary appreciative of the great legal team from the firm leading my effort here. i want to say thank you to the voters and citizens who have supported me and for their prayers over these many, many years. thank you you very much. >> and off to the courts. so chaka fattah is accused of accepting bribes and misusing campaign money back in 2007 when he was running for mayor. he maintains that the fbi had this whole thing totally wrong and it is a political move, fbi is targeting him unfarly. >> we will see how it plays out in court. >> we will be on this story for weeks, for sure. >>> hey, are you looking for love as alex holley says. >> if you are why why t

. >>> congressman chaka fattah's corruption trial is underway in philadelphia he is accused of acceptingsing campaign funds, and federal grants. "eyewitness news" reporter joe holden joins us live from federal court in center city where fattah spoke just a short time ago, joe. >> reporter: jessica, good evening. this is expected to be one of the most watched trials in recent philadelphia history. the courtroom was pack, both with supporters and those just wanting to catch a glimpse of these proceedings. now the congressman, just left about 20 minutes ago, hailing a cab, on market street. congressman can we talk to you about day one? >> only thing i can say is that it is day one, we will be back here in the morning. >> reporter: with congressman chaka fattah, generous influential law maker, a man with the backing of the powerful house appropriations who delivered cash to inner city programs and charity or the 11 term congressman a architect behind a kickback and bribery scheme rig ago machining other things a non-profit to repay a million-dollar loan for his failed run in 2007 for philade

representative chaka fattah continues this morning. the pennsylvania congressman appeared in federal court yesterday for start of his corruption trial. eleven term congressman is accused of misusing federal grants, campaign fund and money from a charity for his personal, and political gain. meanwhile, fattah says, he has done nothing wrong. the biggest charges that fattah took an illegal one million-dollar loan whale running for mayor of philadelphia in 2007. fattah was able to keep his spirits high as he entered the courthouse yesterday. >> i want to say thank you you to the voters, and the citizens who supported me and for their prayers over these many, many years. i'm thankful, grateful, for the strength and love of my family and i'm extraordinarily appreciative of the great legal team from the firm that will be leading my effort here. >> four others are here charged alongside the congressman, fattah recently lost his bid to return to office and is now fighting to hang on to his freedom. >>> former university of pennsylvania profess

. >>> and today, prosecutors will continue to make their case against congressman chaka fattah. yesterday, the man who served as his campaign manager during his failed bid for mayor in 2007 took the stand in fattah's federal corruption trial. the judge called the campaign disorganized. prosecutes claim congressman fattah took an illegal $1 million loan to fund his mayoral campaign, but the defense is blaming two political consultants who have pleaded guilty in the case. >> officials will now be able to avoid budget cuts in the brandy wine school district. voters approved a referendum that will increase taxes. with that decision, the district won't have to cut about $8 million from its budget. teaching jobs will be saved as will school sports and activities that were on the chopping block. >>> now, a story you'll see only on nbc10. a delaware county mom is worried for her daughter's safety when she gets draopped off as a daycare by the school bus. >> i see the driver get out. >> this is video michelle gonzalez shot on her cell phone monday. she claimed a school bus driver isn't f

. >>> a jury is seated in the trial of chaka fattah. the 59-year-old is accused of accepting brides and misusing campaign funds and federal grants, fattah maintains his innocence and the completion of jury selection comes after the screening of hundreds of pro tense jurors. >>> authorities still don't know why there is an oil sheen on the schuylkill river in center city philadelphia. u.s. coast guard officials say it could be a runoff from cars, at this time the environmental potential agency is not involved in the investigation. >>> the economic reality of 2016 have apparently intruded upon a religious order around for 125 years. the buck county home of her order has to be sold. "action news" reporter sara bloomquist has the story. >> reporter: the 44 acre property in bensalem township is long been the home for the sisters. the blessed sacrament, the religious order founded by st. catherine drexel in 1881. the property they know as the mother house must be sold. >> it comes with a heavy heart but the decision has to be made now. >> at

representative chaka fattah. he appeared in the federal court in center city yesterday. prosecutors say fattah misused campaign fund and grants, as well as accepted bribes, opening statements in the trial are set for may 16th, congressman fattah has held office since 1983 but just lost primary election last week. his son chaka fattah junior is serving time in federal prison on a tax conviction. >>> guilty is verdict jurors handed a man after little will more than an hour of deliberations, they say he told his girl friend in her dorm room in millersville university. orrostieta now stand guilty of third degree murder in the death of the 18 year-old carli hall. orrostieta told police, that they had been drinking, when they got in the fight over spilled noodles and she hit her head last year. but prosecutors say he beat and strangled her. the convictions carry a maximum sentence of 40 years. >>> atlantic city will not default on the debt thanks to the large payment made. mayor don guardian says cash strapped shore town made the large one payment yesterday. mayor says things

representative chaka fattah. he appeared in the federal court in center city yesterday. prosecutors say fattah misused campaign fund and grants and as well as accepted bribes. he made no comments when he left court. opening statements set for may 16th. congressman fattah has held office since 1983, but just last the primary election last week. his son chaka fattah junior is serving time in federal prison on tax convictions. >>> jerry sandusky awaiting a a judge's decision about whether he will be granted a new trial, former penn state assistant football coach showed up in court yesterday in his orange jump suit. he is currently going through a defense team and issuing a statement and letting them defend, and then he read the statement to the public. he and his counsel was ineffective and failed to advice him of his available options in his first trial. it means that he is serving as much as 60 years in prison. the convicted child molester did not have an act i have role in the hearing but his attorneys did read this statement. >> just like the rest of the world, i am imp

. >> jury selected in the trial of chaka fattah.y say fattah misused campaign funds and grand as well as accepted bribes. opening statements in the trial set for may 16th. congressman fattah has held office for more than 30 years, but, lost his chance at re-election last week. his son, chaka fattah, jr., now serving time in federal prison on attacks conviction. >>> a requirement that makes philadelphia police recruits have two years of college credits under their belts could soon be tossed out as a result of the department having trouble hiring enough officers. the department would get rid of the college requirement. richard rot also look to go raise the age requirement from 19 to 22 years old, right now the city about 400 officers short of it target number. mayor jim kenney reportedly supports both proposals. >> brazen crime caught on camera. a local neighborhood set up after their cars are broken into. now that community is trying to fight back. but first, bob kelly? >> good morning, everybody, it is a wiper wednesday, and we got

voters can switch their political party affiliations. >>> it's back to court today for congressman chaka fattahfederal corruption case heads into day two. prosecutors say fattah took an illegal $1 million loan to fund his mayoral run in 2007. >>> eagles quarterback sam bradford and carson wentz will meet on the practice field for the first time today. veteran and the rookie will work out with the rest of the birds at the novacare complex. >>> good morning, everyone. jessica boyington with one last update on your first alert traffic. we're watching 95 right now. this is right around cottman avenue, starting to see slowdowns. you can see right back here, the back lanes there, that's headed southbound towards center city. we're seeing delays there first. 22 minutes through the work zone, too. southbound from woodhaven road to the vine street expressway. speeds into the 30s. still watching montgomery county. this accident still out there in cheltenham on old york road and chelton hills road. the drive times, no real increase there. headed northbound towards philadelphia, you can see doing just fine

for a new trial. >> jury selections begins today in the federal corruption trial of congressman chaka fattahof misusing campaign funds, charitable grants, and bribes. fattah insists he's innocent. >> that's three to go. >>> philadelphia police taking dramatic new approach to diffuse potentially deadly confrontations. >> this is the first ever reality based training for philadelphia police officers. the goal is to help them make decision that is could save lives on the street. >> we don't lose any officers, and we don't lose any civilians unnecessarily. >> show me your hand. >> cbs-3's walt hunter takes you inside a ground breaking new effort to teach officers thousand protect themselves and others by learning new methods to decrease violence, you won't want to miss his exclusive report tonight on cbs-3 "eyewitness news" at 11:00. >> looks interesting, now, a last check on weather and traffic. >> yes, and as far as the weather goes still again little bit of uphill battle. here, trying to find the sunshine, we just unsettled weather looks like the next few days at least, beach patrol headquart

in congressman chaka fattah's federal corruption trial. was congressman fattah yesterday going into the courthouse. the congressman is accused of accepting bribes and misusing campaign funds and federal grants. opening arguments are scheduled to begin may 16th. >> authority arrested and charged a montgomery county high school teacher for allegedly having sex with a student. rose limuli faces 16 counts of sexual assault. she started having inappropriate sexual relationship with an upper darby high school student in december. she's not allowed to have contact with that student or any other students. >>> new jersey's department of education held the first in a series of public hearings yesterday to study the idea of a later school start. educators are considering pushing back the start of the school day for middle and high schoolers to 8:30 or later. and not all parents are in love with the idea. >> i work early so i can be home for the kids after school. he has to be in two places at once now. am i supposed to change my work schedule? not be

." >>> a former consultant to the representative of chaka fattah took to the stand for the prosecution today. today the congressman's defense team team will cross-examine thomas windenfield. fattah claimed to have no idea that he was paying off an illegal loan and had no idea it was happening. >>> donald trump will join chris christie for a fundraiser in new jersey. it will pay off the campaign debt of christie's unsuccessful presidential bid. it will be the first time trump will raise money as the presumptive nominee. >>> there is growing concern among leading democrats that a division within their party is getting worse. bernie sanders is pressing on even as hillary clinton inches closer to a nomination. a violent outbreak by bernie sanders supporters has people worried about the dnc in philadelphia. >>> it worries me a great deal, i don't want to go back to the 68 convention. i worry about what it does to the electorate as a whole. he should, too. >>> the 1968 democratic convention in chicago was marred by riots. five groups supporting bernie sanders have filed permanent application

. >>> the federal corruption trial continues today for pennsylvania congressman, chaka fattah, the action cam was there as he arrived this morning. the injure heard opening statements yesterday, prosecutors say he used charitable funding to repay a campaign loan. the democrat denies wrong doing and his trial is expected to take up to two months. >>> pennsylvania authorities are on the lookout for a bear spotted in chadds ford. some "action news" viewers spotted the bear on route 1 and route 202 last night. they have notified the fish and wildlife commission. >>> accuweather is tracking light rain across the region as we look live outside. i believe that is the platt bridge, damp and cloudy and cooler temperatures today. david murphy is tracking the latest conditions from the "action news" big board. >> we thought it would take at least until lunch time to get wet in philadelphia and that is what is happening. the first band is coming across philadelphia, and there are steadier rain cells highlighted in yellow, in cape may county, this is light nuisance rain and another heavy cell here or

today jury selection begins in the the corruption trial on the long time pennsylvania congressman chaka fattahttah is accused of taking bribes and misusing campaign fund and federal grants. judge has delayed the start of the testimony until may 16th. last week fattah lost his primary to state law maker dwight evans ending his hopes of the 12th term in congress. >>> atlantic city is on the brink of defaulting on its debt, something no other city in new jersey has done in the past 78 years. mayor don guardian will announce if the gambling town will be able to cover a 1.8 million-dollar bond payment. the city is also expecting proceeds from its next tax payment but guardian says it is unclear if they will be enough to cover both bond and payroll. state leaders continue to work on a plan to save the sit friday bankruptcy. >>> teenage driver and female passenger were pulled from the car that slammed into a house, this is the scene on 200 block of wilson street in pottstown, montgomery county last night. two victims in the the vehicle were admitted to the hospital but they are expected to recover. t

meanwhile, jury selection in the federal corruption trial of congressman chaka fattah resumes this morning, the pennsylvania democrat is accused of excepting bribes and misusing campaign funds, and federal grants. fattah says he's done nothing wrong. opening arguments are scheduled for may 16th, in last week's primary, fattah lost a bid for a 12th term to state representative dwight evans. >> convicted pedifile jerry sandusky fighting for new trial. he yelled out a message as he walked into court. >> read what has been written. >> sandusky ' defense team has raided 33 issues with the original case. they are asking for an evidentiary hearing which could lead to a new trial. his attorneys argue sandusky didn't get a fair trial in 2012, largely, because of his previous attorneys. the judge did not make a ruling on that evidentiary hearing. >> here is a strange scene inside the apple store at 16th and walnut last night. philadelphia police arrested the man known as philly -- philly jesus, says the man refused to leave whether asked and caused disturbance. he is now up against charges of disord