Despite trial, Fattah enjoyed weekend

By most standards, it was a very tough week for U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah.

His son, Chaka "Chip" Fattah Jr., was convicted Thursday on federal bank- and tax-fraud charges.

A formidable political foe, State Rep. Dwight Evans, on Monday said he will challenge Fattah's bid for a 12th term.

And Fattah's own federal trial is slated to start six days after the Democratic primary election in April.

Still, Fattah appeared engaged, upbeat, and popular with the public at events he attended Saturday.

At the Salvation Army's five-year anniversary for its Kroc Center in Nicetown, Fattah spoke of finding funding to expand the original building plans to include a swimming pool.

"You will not find an organization that has done anything in my district that I haven't helped," said Fattah, who was indicted in July on federal charges of racketeering, bank fraud, bribery, and money laundering.

Ronnie McKay, of Germantown, stopped Fattah to say she was "rooting for him." He beamed in response, embracing her.

Thomas Wilkerson, of Northeast Philadelphia, told Fattah he prays for him. Asked if he thinks Fattah will prevail in court, Wilkerson said: "Allow the facts to come out. And allow him to be judged fairly on the facts."

Called to the podium, Fattah reminded the crowd that he was on the site for the groundbreaking and the building's opening, and said he plans to attend the 10th and 15th anniversaries.

"I'm going to be with you on the battlefield for a long time to come," he declared in a short speech.

Fattah roamed the crowd, greeting each person who said hello, pausing for everyone who wanted to take a picture.

"Take your time," he told a woman who fumbled for her phone to snap a selfie with Fattah.

He also rattled off accomplishments, including the 13 million children he said have cycled through GEAR UP, a college preparation program he launched in Philadelphia and then spread to other parts of the country.

And Fattah cited a political scientist who wrote about his strong connection to the Second Congressional District.

Sounds like a potential character witness, no?

No, Fattah said.

"My defense to these frivolous charges is provable innocence, not good character," he explained.

Federal prosecutors in August suggested that Fattah's interest in talking about his record in office was an attempt to influence potential jurors.

Fattah's lawyers, in a court filing, called that claim "almost laughable."

Later in the day, Fattah was in University City for the official opening of the Buerger Center for Advanced Pediatric Care at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. While the 12-story building was built with charitable donations, Fattah said his work in securing federal funding for medical research has an impact in the many medical facilities in the area.

Again, he easily rattled off a list of programs he has pushed, including medical research into how the brain works and suffers in disease and injury.

There were more selfies and supportive words.

"I saw you on TV," one woman exclaimed before telling Fattah it was when he was attending his son's trial last week.

"I love my son," he told her, smiling.

A man stopped Fattah as he walked up a long, winding ramp inside the medical building, asking about his family.

"The family is as strong as ever," Fattah said with a grin, still climbing.

brennac@phillynews.com215-854-5973@ByChrisBrennan