Brady calls on Acosta to step down

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US Congressman Bob Brady on left (Emma Lee/WHYY) and State Rep. Leslie Acosta (image via pahouse.com)

US Congressman Bob Brady on left (Emma Lee/WHYY) and State Rep. Leslie Acosta (image via pahouse.com)

The head of Philadelphia’s Democratic Party is calling on a State Representative to step down.  Part of the reason for the call is she won’t be able to serve her term if re-elected.

US Congressman Bob Brady, who is also the head of the Democratic City Committee says State Representative Leslie Acosta quietly entered a guilty plea in the spring to felony charges and should immediately step down from office.

“I told her I think she should resign and if she resigns we can puts somebody (else) on the November ballot.”

Brady says even though the official deadline for changing candidates has passed, in the past changes were made this close to the election.  He’s not sure Acosta, who admitted to a conspiracy charge to commit money laundering will step down.

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“If she doesn’t resign, hopefully we can win the seat on the democratic side and replace her when she does resign, which is inevitable.”

 Her plea involved an alleged embezzlement scheme at a Fairhill mental health clinic, but the details are sealed. Acosta has not responded to a request for comment.

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