Ex-Pa. senator convicted of 137 corruption counts

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Vincent Fumo, once one of the most powerful figures in Pennsylvania politics, was convicted Monday of more than 130 counts of corruption for schemes that defrauded the state Senate and others of more than $3.5 million and helped pay for his lavish lifestyle.

The 65-year-old former state senator was found guilty of all 137 counts against him, which also included obstruction of justice for destroying e-mail evidence.

The jury deliberated about the Philadelphia Democrat’s fate for about six days after a five-month trial that was nearly derailed at the last minute by a juror who made postings about the case to Twitter and Facebook.

Prosecutors are expected to seek a sentence of more than 10 years under federal guidelines, based on the size of the fraud, the obstruction conviction and other factors.

After the verdict was read, Fumo hugged his distraught college-age daughter and his girlfriend before leaving the courtroom.

U.S. District Judge Ronald L. Buckwalter set bail at $2 million, to be secured with Fumo’s properties, including mansions in Philadelphia and Florida, a central Pennsylvania farm and a New Jersey beach house. Prosecutors had argued that bail should be revoked, saying Fumo made more than $10 million a few years ago from the sale of his family bank.

Fumo has until Wednesday to post bail.

Former Fumo aide Ruth Arnao was found guilty of all 45 counts against her, including defrauding Citizens’ Alliance, a nonprofit.

Fumo testified in his defense for six days, comparing some of his excesses to spitting on the sidewalk.

The showdown with prosecutors capped a long trial that detailed the enviable lifestyle Fumo lived. Prosecutors charged that the already wealthy Fumo misspent more than $2 million of senate resources and another $1.5 million from the Citizens’ Alliance for Better Neighborhoods and the Independence Seaport Museum.