Numerous sources reported on Thursday (July 22) that State Representative Margo Davidson will be resigning, after being charged by the state attorney general with misappropriating tax-payer funds and campaign funds.
Davidson is a Democrat who represents the 164th District, which includes much of Upper Darby, East Lansdowne, Milbourne and parts of Yeadon.
From the website of the State Attorney General –
The Grand Jury found that Margo Davidson, 58, requested overnight expenses for nights she did not spend in Harrisburg, and received personal reimbursements from the Commonwealth for expenses that had been paid for by her campaign. The Representative has also been charged with Election Code violations arising from failure to report campaign finance information, as well as soliciting a witness to lie during the course of the investigation.
Representatives are entitled to payments for out-of-pocket expenses during official events and trips. However, Davidson was reimbursed for expenses paid for by her campaign. She was also reimbursed for overnight expenses that she submitted but never incurred at all. Each fraudulent claim resulted in personal profit for Davidson.
The Representative has been charged with misdemeanor charges of Theft, Solicitation to Hinder Apprehension, and Election Code Violations. She waived her preliminary hearing, and has paid the restitution of $6,925.
Statement by Margo Davidson –
To my beloved citizens of the 164, with your support I made history in 2010 and together we transformed a county, and returned power to the people. Today, I sadly announce my resignation and take legal responsibility for improper record keeping and reimbursement of expenses for which I am paying the full restitution today for the $6,925 that was not administered properly. I further take responsibility for and regret not fully participating with the investigation. As I end this chapter, I can say with all assurance that you may have other representatives but none that will love you more. And finally community, as you well know, I was a voice and an advocate for underrepresented communities long before I was in the Legislature; as I was in it; and I will be a voice for my community long after this day. With courage and strength and faith in my God, I move forward.
Davidson was first elected to the State House in 2010. She defeated Republican Mareen Carey 10,083 – 8711. Her predecessor in the 164th District was Republican Mario Civera, who was first elected in 1980.
Davidson has split with most of her fellow Democrats over the issues of charter schools and abortion.
Planned Parenthood supported her opponent in the 2014 primary after she voted to support increasing health regulations for abortion clinics. Davidson has also received large contributions from “School Choice” groups and has been generally supportive of charter schools.
Davidson ran unsuccessfully in the 2018 Democratic Primary for the U.S. House seat that was won by, and is currently held by Mary Gay Scanlon. She described herself then as a chain-breaker.