Philadelphia congressman resigns following fraud conviction

WASHINGTON, June 23 (Reuters) - U.S. Representative Chaka Fattah resigned from Congress on Thursday, two days after he was convicted of orchestrating multiple frauds aimed at enriching himself and preserving his political career.

Fattah indicated earlier that he intended to resign on Oct. 3, the date of his sentencing, to provide for "an orderly transition" from office after 21 years in Congress.

"Upon reflection, I hereby make official my resignation from the U.S. House of Representatives effective immediately," Fattah wrote in a letter to House Speaker Paul Ryan.

SEE ALSO: Supreme Court deals Obama blow on immigration

The 59-year-old congressman, who represented parts of Philadelphia, was found guilty on Tuesday of more than two dozen counts of racketeering, bribery and fraud following a month-long trial in federal court in Philadelphia.

Fattah lost the Democratic primary in April, months after being charged in a wide-ranging indictment alongside four associates.

Prosecutors said Fattah misappropriated hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign, charity and taxpayer money in a series of schemes stretching over several years.

Some of the frauds stemmed from Fattah's unsuccessful 2007 mayoral campaign, which left him deeply in debt to several supporters.

See more of Fattah through the years:

(Reporting by Kouichi Shirayanagi; Editing by Tim Ahmann and Jeffrey Benkoe)