Vincent Fumo
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Vincent Joseph Fumo (born May 8, 1943) is a State Senator, lawyer and businessman from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is a member of the Democratic Party.
Fumo holds a B.S. from Villanova University ('62), a law degree from Temple University School of Law ('72) and an MBA ('84) from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Fumo has pursued an array of interests over his life as he is also a a licensed electrician, pilot, and boat captain.
Senator Fumo has represented South Philadelphia's 1st Senatorial District since 1978 when he succeeded Buddy Cianfrani, who had been convicted of racketeering, bribery and obstruction of justice. Fumo was the Democrat ranking Member of the Senate appropriations committee until his federal indictment in February 2007. He also serves on the Communications & Technology, Consumer Protection, Game & Fisheris, Rules, & Urban Affairs & Housing Committees.
In addition to his State Senate work, Fumo is associated with the Philadelphia Law firm of Dilworth Paxson LLP. He was the Chairman of First Penn Bank. The bank was originally founded as Pennsylvania Savings Bank, by his grandfather. Fumo took over control after his father was convicted of bank fraud in 1976. The bank grew rapidly under Fumo's control from $1.5 million in assets to about $550 million, and was eventually sold in 2007 for $94 million, potentially netting $19 million for Fumo. [1]
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[edit] Federal investigations
[edit] 1974
In 1974, Fumo, along with three associates, was the target of a 44 count indictment for mail fraud. The four men, who included the Majority Leader of the State Senate, the head of the Domocratic City Executive Committee, and the Chief Clerk of the State House were accused of helping convicted Senator Cianfrani, add 33 ghost employees to the state payroll. At the time, Fumo was an assistant to Camiel in charge of patronage. [2]
In 1978, Fumo was convicted by a jury of 15 counts. However, a federal judge overturned the conviction in 1981 after motions by the defense to acquit.[3] [4]
[edit] 2004-2007
Fumo has been the subject of a federal investigation which resulted in his indictment in 2007. The investigation related to a charity run by the Senator called the Citizens Alliance for Better Neighborhoods which was run by a former member of the Senator's staff. In 2004, PECO, a subsidiary of Exelon, donated $17 million to the organization. Federal prosecutors began an investigation as to whether Fumo had forced the utility to make the donation by initially opposing, then supporting, utility deregulation in the state. There were also allegations that Fumo had used the charity's funds for personal benefit.
In late May of 2006, two of Senator Fumo’s staffers were arrested and indicted on charges of destroying electronic evidence, including e-mail related to the investigation. The charges were based on e-mails sent by the aides, in which they suggested that Fumo ordered destruction of the documentation. [5]. [6]
On 6 February 2007, a Federal grand jury named Fumo in a 139-count indictment, alleging mail fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy, obstruction of justice and filing a false tax return. Charges include using state workers to oversee construction of his mansion, spy on his ex-wife and work on his farm. Additionally, the indictment accused him of misusing $1 million of state funds and $1 million from his charity for personal and campaign use and commandeering yachts from the Philadelphia Seaport Museum for personal travel. [7], [8]
Immediately before the indictment was handed down, Fumo resigned his position as the ranking Democrat on the Appropriations Committee and vowed to fight the charges.
[edit] Trivia
- Fumo infamously called Republican President Pro Tempore Robert Jubelirer a "faggot" on the floor of the Pennsylavania House during a debate on slot machine gambling. [9]
- Fumo is a member of Mensa International, the high IQ society.
