Fumo's Son-In-Law Says State Senator Admitted to Illegal Politicking

by KYW's Tony Hanson

There has been potentially damning testimony in the federal corruption trial of Pennsylvania state senator Vince Fumo (in file photo above), charged with misusing his political staff and a tax-exempt nonprofit organization for his own personal and political benefit (see previous stories).

On the stand for the third day in federal court in Philadelphia was Fumo's son-in-law, who says he felt betrayed by the senator.

Christian Morrone says he had concerns about how the nonprofit Citizens Alliance was being operated, and he sent this e-mail suggestion to Fumo:

(Morrone, reading e-mail:)  " 'A new, permanent, and full-time management would need to be in place to effectively run everything. This would include a full time GM' -- general manager -- 'with experience running these types of organizations. He would be responsible for hiring and firing, oversight of job performance, and maintenance of vehicles and equipment.' "

(Prosecutor John Pease:)  "And what reply back did you receive from Senator Fumo?"

(Morrone:)  " 'Yes, that would be nice, but it would cost us a lot more. And confidentially, only because I trust you, if we had such a person and  tried to do some of these things  that are political that we do, we would now have someone else in our tent and we would be subject to his blackmail if they chose to do it.' "
 
Morrone, who seemed to become emotional, says the response confirmed his concerns about Citizens Alliance:

"He was my mentor, someone I looked up to.  I thought we were doing all the things we were doing with Citizens because it was the right thing.  I thought it was.  And I thought we were doing some good things.  And we were.  But I didn't know, and certainly I felt betrayed.  I didn't know that this was ultimately his intent."

During cross-examination, the defense suggested Morrone is lying and that he withheld documents that would show his testimony is false.

The defense has also suggested through questioning that Morrone, who is active now in the Republican party and works in the Bush administration defense department, could have a political motive for his testimony.

Fumo has pleaded not guilty to the charges.