Debbie Wasserman Schultz Tech Staffer Arrested Trying To Flee Country
Image by Getty Images
A technology worker in Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz’s office was arrested at the airport on Tuesday, as he attempted to flee the country to Pakistan, amid a bank fraud investigation.
The feds nabbed Imran Awan at Dulles Airport in Washington, D.C. as he prepared to board a flight to Lahore, Pakistan, reported Politico. Charged in federal court, he’s accused of defrauding the Congressional Federal Credit Union of $165,000 by lying to obtain a home equity loan and then wiring the funds to his native Pakistan.
His wife Hina Alvi already left for Pakistan, and prosecutors said they expected her to stay there. The couple both worked for almost two dozen Democratic legislators as information technology specialists, though Wasserman Schultz fired Awan on Tuesday.
Awan’s attorney denounced the charges as a right-wing plot to take down his client. “This is clearly a right-wing media-driven prosecution by a United States Attorney’s Office that wants to prosecute people for working while Muslim,” Chris Gowen told Politico.
Wasserman Schultz resigned as Democratic National Committee chair last year amid allegations that she favored Hillary Clinton over Bernie Sanders in the primaries.
Contact Daniel J. Solomon at [email protected] or on Twitter @DanielJSolomon
I’m personally matching all gifts to the Forward, up to $36,000. Can I match your gift now?
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
