(PennLive) Rep. Movita Johnson-Harrell, who made history by becoming the first Muslim woman to be elected to Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives, now faces criminal charges.
The charges are related to actions that occurred prior to her taking office in March.
State Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced on Wednesday charges have been filed against the West Philadelphia Democrat, including perjury, tampering with public records, theft by unlawful taking, theft by deception, and contributions of corporations. Her theft surpassed $500,000, Shapiro said at a press conference in Harrisburg Wednesday morning.
Johnson-Harrell, 53, surrendered and plans to plead guilty to at least some of the charges, Shapiro said. She plans to resign effective December 13.
The charges relate to campaign finance issues and a nonprofit she ran in Philadelphia.
The start of her legislative career was as controversial as the end of it appears to be.
She found herself in the middle of a controversy during her swearing-in at the Capitol in March, when Republican state Rep. Stephanie Borowicz gave what some lawmakers called a divisive opening prayer that espoused Borowicz’s Christian views.
Johnson-Harrell said later that she became uncomfortable with Borowicz’s calling on the name of Jesus and mention of forefathers who owned slaves and Israel and the president “to weaponize my swearing-in.”
