Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta sued by Drexel University for unpaid tuition, late fees
Photo by Gov. Tom Wolf's office
State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, also the Democrats’ nominee for auditor general in this November’s election, was sued in January by Drexel University for more than $36,000 in unpaid tuition and late fees, according to court documents.
A university ledger for Kenyatta’s account filed as an exhibit in the case shows the Philly-based politician began accruing a balance with Drexel in the spring of 2014, enrolling in the Graduate College of Arts & Sciences.
Kenyatta made several payments through much of 2014, but by November and December that year, the university began regularly assessing late payment fees against him that continued into 2017. He enrolled for more classes in 2019, but by 2021 the late payment fees began again — this time costing about $300 each month for fifteen consecutive months.
“Although demand [for payment] therefore has been made repeatedly, the Defendant has failed to pay the balance due,” the filing says. The filing asks for the balance of $36,139, another $500 for attorney fees incurred thus far, while leaving the door open for more attorney fees plus interest.
A spokesperson for Kenyatta brushed the lawsuit aside, suggesting there was nothing unusual.
“Like millions of Americans, Rep. Kenyatta carries debt from pursuing higher education. This matter is no longer pending and was settled between the parties in 2024,” said spokesperson Mike Mikus.
Mikus provided a screenshot from February demonstrating a settlement between Kenyatta and Drexel. The screenshot is a text from Kenyatta’s attorney, Wade Albert, and shows a settlement amount of $37,585.
As a state legislator, Kenyatta earns a salary of $106,422 per year, plus an allowance of $185 each day for expenses.
Even with the outstanding balance, Drexel featured Kenyatta in an “alumni spotlight” article.
“On the value of his graduate education, Kenyatta remarks, ‘Everything I learned in the program enhanced my skills as a leader and a communicator to constituents. You have to be clear and concise in your message. You have to communicate in an accessible manner. You have to know what you’re talking about,’” the profile said.
The Philly Democrat was ensnared in controversy earlier this year before the primary election. While doing door-to-door campaigning, a woman’s in-home security camera recorded Kenyatta saying one of his Democratic opponents “don’t like black people.”
“There’s the guy, Mark Pinsley, who I told you don’t like black people,” Kenyatta said. “He’s still running so we’ll see if he can get on the ballot. I have no idea. He’s from the Lehigh Valley.”
Kenyatta will face off in November against Republican incumbent Tim DeFoor to be Pennsylvania’s “chief fiscal watchdog.”
Todd Shepherd is Broad + Liberty’s chief investigative reporter. Send him tips at tshepherd@broadandliberty.com, or use his encrypted email at shepherdreports@protonmail.com. @shepherdreports
In an unprecedented and disturbing manner, did State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta sign any 155-millimeter howitzer rounds, like the politically correct and well-spoken Gov. Josh Shapiro?
No?
Shapiro was recently pictured with a sinister grin signing an artillery round that will be used to kill people with whom the United States is not at war… yet another elite politician eagerly displaying a willingness to send other people’s children to fight and die.
He was delinquent – not a good thing. Drexel began legal action to force payment – that’s the University’s right. Rep. Kenyatta owned up to the debt and he and the University settled the matter. Looks like the issue was handled. Owing money for a long time is an issue, but many do. Rep. Kenyatta apparently did the right thing in the end. Does it reflect on his character? That’s for the voters to decide, but rest assured that Drexel would be happy to have him as a speaker or visiting lecturer.
Mr. Todd Shepherd and Mr. Frank Viola,
The son of the President of the United States of America recently plead guilty to tax evasion for bribes he received from Ukraine, China, and who know what other foreign adversaries in exchange for selling access to his father, who was Vice President… at the time. Yet you decided to write about this piddling nonsense. Mr. Shepherd, frankly you might be a traitorous enemy of we the people.
Can you write an article about the government censorship efforts during Covid, or perhaps about the billions of dollars taxpayers have given to the Biden Crime family and Ukraine?!? You are seriously writing about a $38K debt to Drexel? You should be ashamed if you consider yourself a serious newsman.
@Michael Sweeney
Please look at the title and description of this online outlet. Please review how many writers they have and consider the resources 0f this outlet.
Now- that feeling that has hopefully hit you in your gut… that would be the realization that they focus on SE PA and state issues.
Secondly, they aren’t a big inquirer sort with 50 journalists and a slush fund to travel to DC and other states to interview people around a story. They have limited notoriety to get an interview with a federal/national issue.
Lastly — they have covered issues of censorship during covid. They had contributors write about it.
Why dont you get off your armchair quarterbacking self righteous butt and write something for them to publish — WITHOUT insanely ranting? Write something that is researched, structured, and with substance beyond what we all know happened.
Dung,
You watched the video of Shapiro signing that 155-millimeter howitzer round? You realize he’s pushing off-the-charts-potent marijuana sales? You think it is insane that marijuana, or heavy use of marijuana at a young age, is a common web between many mass killers? Dawn Stensland on 1210 AM talks about how great Shapiro is – that’s why I called her out about it. She seems like a nice lady, but she was duped by a polite nice-talking scum ball. What is it about Mastriano that you didn’t like so much that you voted for a guy that signs an artillery shell for a foreign war, and pushes dangerous drugs on young people for tax money? Did you read any of the Missouri v Biden discovery? Do you understand how much censorship and propaganda by our own government has occurred in the past 6 years? Regarding abortion and Mastriano – my youngest sister was born at 4.5 months and the doctors and Catholic Social Services said she would die shortly – but if she lived, she would be blind and deaf all her life. It was a rough two years for her, heart monitor etc., and then she grew up to be completely normal woman. Yes, I rant a lot. Almost everything written about abortion (numbers, process, etc.) in the press is a lie. Almost everything in the media about Covid was a lie. The “mass mail-in ballot” voting is completely fraudulent. I negotiated the 4700 Wissahickon lease with the voting machines before they moved. I know firsthand how fraudulent the machine security was in the old warehouse and non-existent it is in the new warehouse. Not surprised at all the ballots were affected by humidity. These writers at Broad + Liberty are mostly good people, but they aren’t mad enough yet. The amount of inflation that is going to hit us in the next five years is going to make the last five years look like good times. I wrote if before: your moniker is priceless.