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PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jury selection has begun in the federal corruption trial of Democratic U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah.
The 59-year-old Pennsylvania congressman is accused of accepting bribes and misusing campaign funds and federal grants to enrich his family and friends.
The jury selection process is under way Monday at the federal courthouse in Philadelphia. Opening statements are set for May 16.
Fattah calls the indictment the product of a lengthy FBI witch hunt.
He has represented the Philadelphia area in Congress since 1995 but lost last week's primary election to state Rep. Dwight Evans.
Several former aides or allies are also charged. Fattah's son is meanwhile serving a five-year prison term in a related case that went to trial last year.
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