Congressman Raymond F. Lederer lost his seat after he was busted in the famous Abscam scandal. It was not a good way to end his political career.
Philadelphia Daily News PHILADELPHIA — Raymond F. Lederer, former Democratic Congressman from Philadelphia whose political career ended when he was among 19 people caught up in the Abscam scandal of 1980, died Monday of cancer. He was 70 and lived in Fishtown.
Lederer and Michael “Ozzie” Myers were the two congressmen arrested in the federal sting operation, which used a phony Arab sheikh to offer bribes to elected officials. Three City Council members also were arrested.He was sentenced to Allenwood Prison.
After his conviction, Lederer resigned from Congress in 1981 and went to work as a roofer. However, he retained his leadership of the 18th Ward.
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