KYW Newsradio Team Coverage, including reaction to the verdict
by KYW's Tony Hanson and Pat Loeb
A federal jury in Philadelphia has convicted former Pennsylvania state senator Vincent Fumo of every one of the 137 counts against him, including the serious charges of conspiring to defraud the Pennsylvania Senate, a nonprofit organization he founded, and the Independence Seaport Museum of millions of dollars.
The once-powerful politician now faces 10 years in prison. His sentencing date was not immediately set.
The Senate conspiracy count was the first of the counts being returned Monday against Fumo. The 65-year-old Philadelphia Democrat was charged with defrauding the senate, the nonprofit, and the museum of more than $3.5 million, and destroying e-mail evidence.
Fumo had little reaction, only nodding slightly after each verdict was read, apparently indicating that he understood them. But after a while it was more like a boxer reeling after each punch landed.
The verdict comes after a nearly five-month trial that began October 22nd and featured more than 100 witnesses and 1,300 exhibits.
Former Fumo aide Ruth Arnao (right) was also convicted on every one of the 45 counts against her. She broke down and cried in the courtroom, later being consoled by her husband.
KYW's Kim Glovas reports that Judge Ronald Buckwalder has imposed some bail restrictions on Fumo and Arnao.
The judge set bail for Fumo at $2 million, and $500,000 for Ruth Arnao.
The judge said that Fumo can post bond on all of his real estate, including his Green Street residence and properties in Margate, Fort Lauderdale, and Halifax.
Arnao will be allowed to post bond on her residence, which is also on Green Street.
Prosecutors had asked for electronic monitoring, home confinement, and the posting of property for Fumo. But the judge declined most of those requests. Travel restrictions are also imposed on the two, limiting them to the Eastern District -- which is basically the eastern third of the state -- of Pennsylvania.
KYW's Kim Glovas reports that after the verdict was announced, Fumo left the courtroom surrounded by a phalanx of news reporters (top photo). His only comment:
"I'm heartbroken and very disappointed, and that's it."
Ruth Arnao's defense attorney, Ed Jacobs, also expressed disappointment on behalf of his client:
"We're deeply disappointed. We're overwhelmed. We did not expect this reaction from the jury. But look, we resepct it. The jury system is the cornerstone of criminal justice. And we're stuck with this verdict for now."
The verdicts came Monday morning after a pause in deliberations that hinted at a possible hitch in the trial (see related story). One juror was questioned closely by the judge on Monday after it was disclosed that he had been posting messages on the Internet via "Facebook" and "Twitter."
The judge ruled that the juror had not received any communications about the trial and was still impartial. The verdicts came just about an hour later.
Some Politicians React Quickly and Vigorously
KYW's Mike Dunn reports from City Hall that on Monday afternoon Mayor Nutter called the Fumo verdicts a "stunning conclusion to a stunning trial."
He said he wishes the Fumo family the best under difficult circumstances.
But the mayor said that in the largest sense, the outcome of the lengthy trial was proof that "the system worked."
Nutter said the jury clearly felt Fumo should be held accountable:
"He, in his true sense of public service, certainly did many things that were beneficial to the City of Philadelphia and our region. But I think today's jury verdict is further evidence that no matter what your intentions may be, none of us -- none of us -- is above the law."
And Nutter knows the city's image is not helped by Fumo's downfall:
"This situation is certainly not good for those of us who are in public office, and how the public thinks about high elected office. But I would say the system worked. It did what it was supposed to do. It held an official accountable."
Nutter says that with the resounding guilty verdicts, the jury is sending a clear message:
"This should serve as a reminder: ethics is a two-way street. Follow the law, do not rip off the public, do a hard day's work for a good day's pay, and you'll be okay."
First District city councilman Frank DiCicco, a close Fumo ally, refused comment.
And in Harrisburg, KYW's Tony Romeo reports that the biggest "no comment" of the day came from Governor Rendell, who appeared as a defense witness during the Fumo trial.
Otherwise, reaction in the state capitol was mixed.
Some lawmakers, like Daylin Leach (D-Delaware and Montgomery counties) -– a former state representative elected to the state senate last year -– were reluctant to comment:
“I didn’t serve with Senator Fumo or know Senator Fumo, so I didn’t follow the trial that closely.”
But former lieutenant governor and former state senator Mark Singel (D) says prosecutors made a strong case against Fumo:
“I don’t believe in kicking people when they’re down. You hate to see that happen to anybody. But in Vince’s case, he spent a lot of time being very close to the edge up here.”
Singel says people have to have faith in the criminal justice system, and this is the result it produced.
KYW's Ian Bush reports that former US attorney Patrick Meehan -- who announced the original indictment against Fumo in 2007 -- released the following statement after the verdict:
"Just as I said two years ago when my office brought the charges against Senator Fumo, there is no joy in today's verdict. While it is my hope that today's decision will begin to reverse the corrupt behavior we have seen for far too long, sadly much of the damage has already been done. Also as I said then, my hope is that from today's verdict will emerge a new commitment of transparency, honesty and ethics from those who seek to serve the public."
Visit the KYW1060.com archive on "Fumo"
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