Fattah's lawyers target agent who leaked info on son

Facing a federal corruption trial this year, U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah is hoping that revelations of FBI leaks in a separate case involving his son could prove key to fighting off his own charges.

In a motion filed Friday, lawyers for the Philadelphia Democrat called for contempt of court hearings against Special Agent Richard J. Haag, the lead FBI investigator in Fattah's racketeering conspiracy case and the probe that led to the conviction last year of Chaka "Chip" Fattah Jr. on bank and tax fraud charges.

Haag admitted in October, while testifying in the younger Fattah's trial, that he tipped off an Inquirer reporter to the 2012 raids of Fattah Jr.'s Ritz-Carlton condo and Logan Square office, and had shared other broad strokes of his investigation.

In Friday's filing, the elder Fattah's lawyers asked for the release of all grand jury material from the congressman's case to determine whether Haag improperly leaked additional information.

"If examining the communications between the prosecutors and grand jurors reveals additional leaks . . . a ground will exist to dismiss the indictment," attorney Riley H. Ross III wrote.

Haag could not be reached for comment Friday. Federal prosecutors, who have limited their statements on the case to court, have not filed a response.

Fattah, now in his 11th term, stands accused of accepting bribes and misusing campaign funds, charitable donations, and federal grant money he controlled to pay off personal debts. He has denied the charges and has said that they would not derail him from seeking a 12th term this year.

Since he was charged in July, he has accused the U.S. Justice Department of harassing his family for years with an "unconstitutional and unlawful" investigation.

Haag's witness-stand admission during Fattah Jr.'s trial marked the first time that federal authorities acknowledged that there was at least some truth behind the son's claim that reporters had been given advance notice of the search of his condo.

He has alleged in a separate lawsuit that the resulting publicity damaged his reputation and affected his career before he was charged.

Haag only testified about leaking information tied to the younger Fattah. The agent conceded that he had violated a judicial seal on the search warrants, but maintained he had not leaked any confidential grand jury information.

The congressman's lawyers said in the court filings that it was not yet clear whether those leaks extended to the investigation of their client.

Fattah's motion y was just one of several filed by the congressman and his four codefendants challenging various aspects of the case. They are scheduled for trial May 2.

Fattah Jr. could face at least four years in prison at a sentencing in his own case next month.

jroebuck@phillynews.com215-854-2608