Philly congressman Brady won’t seek another term
PHILADELPHIA — U.S. Rep. Bob Brady of Philadelphia, a plainspoken former carpenter who has served as the city’s Democratic Party boss for 30 years, announced Wednesday he will not seek another term in Congress, insisting he’s retiring to spend more time with his family and not because of a corruption case dogging him.
“It’s mixed emotions, but I want to see the birth of my new great-granddaughter,” Brady said at a press conference in Philadelphia, wearing a long-sleeve shirt bearing the Philadelphia Eagles logo. “I want to walk a grandchild to school, which I’ve never ever done. And I’ve missed a lot of birthdays and family gatherings, and I just think that 20 years, it’s time to come back home.”
Brady, 72, has been caught up in a corruption investigation over a payment his campaign made to a primary opponent in 2012. The FBI has said it believes Brady unlawfully concealed the $90,000 payment to get the opponent to quit the race, which he did. At one point, prosecutors also alleged in court documents that Brady had tried to influence a witness in the case.
Three people already have pleaded guilty to campaign finance-related charges in the case, including a former consultant for the congressman. But Brady was never charged, and on Wednesday, he declared, “I did nothing wrong.”