Special election set to replace West Philadelphia lawmaker accused of stealing from nonprofit
Movita Johnson-Harrell, 53, won a special election in March for a West Philadelphia district.
HARRISBURG, Pa. - Voters in a West Philadelphia district in the state House of Representatives will replace a lawmaker accused of stealing from a charity during a special election early next year.
Republican House Speaker Mike Turzai announced Monday the special election to replace Movita Johnson-Harrell will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 25.
She is a Democrat who was the first woman Muslim elected to the state House. Johnson-Harrell won the seat in a special election in March.
RELATED: West Philadelphia lawmaker charged with stealing from nonprofit | Lawmaker accused of theft from charity announces resignation
Johnson-Harrell announced her resignation earlier this month, after being charged with diverting more than a half-million dollars from the charity that serves people with mental illness, intellectual disabilities, substance abuse problems and other challenges.
She's said she disputes many of the allegations against her.
State prosecutors claim she engaged in systematic corruption and lied for years to cover it up.
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