Vincent Fumo

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Vince Fumo
Vincent Fumo
Member of the Pennsylvania State Senate
from the 1st district
In office
1978 – present
Preceded by Buddy Cianfrani
Born May 8, 1943 (1943-05-08) (age 65)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Political party Democratic
Spouse divorced
Residence Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Religion Roman Catholic[1]

Vincent Joseph "Vince" 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. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees of the National Constitution Center [1] in Philadelphia, a museum dedicated to the U.S. Constitution. 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. [2]

Fumo was hospitalized on March 2, 2008 after suffering a heart attack at his home. He underwent a successful emergency angioplasty at Hahnemann University Hospital and was released on March 9, 2008.[2][3]

On March 12, 2008, Fumo announced he was dropping his bid for reelection and retiring from public service, citing his federal indictment.[4]

Contents

[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 Democratic 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. [3]

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.[1][5]

[edit] 2004-2008

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.[6][7]

On February 6, 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.[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.

On March 12, 2008, at a press conference at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, Fumo announced he was dropping his bid for reelection under stress, saying that the charges against him left "a cloud hanging over [his] head." However, he will be completing his current term which ends at the end of the year at the insistence of Governor Ed Rendell who was present at the press conference. Fumo also added that the decision had nothing to do with his health issues.[4]

[edit] Trivia

  • Fumo infamously called Republican President Pro Tempore Robert Jubelirer a "faggot" on the floor of the Pennsylvania Senate during a debate on slot machine gambling.[1]
  • Fumo is a member of Mensa International, the high IQ society.
  • Fumo had the South Philadelphia Branch of the Free Library renamed for his family.

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c Gazarik, Richard. "A passion for politics", Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, 2005-07-31. Retrieved on 2007-05-04. 
  2. ^ Action News [television]. Philadelphia: WPVI.
  3. ^ Fumo Released From Hospital After Heart Attack. Fox Interactive Media (March 9, 2008). Retrieved on March 9, 2008.
  4. ^ a b Robrish, Dan. "Pa. Sen. Vincent Fumo dropping out of race, will retire", The Associated Press, 2008-03-12. Retrieved on 2008-03-12. 
  5. ^ "3 Mail Fraud Convictions Upset in Pennsylvania", AP/NY Times, 1981-08-05. Retrieved on 2007-05-04. 
  6. ^ Hinkelman, Michael. "Fumo receives "target letter"", Philadelphia Daily News, 2007-01-12. Retrieved on 2007-05-04. 
  7. ^ Mauriello, Tracie. "Two Fumo aides accused of destroying evidence in FBI probe of senator", Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 2006-06-01. Retrieved on 2007-05-04. 
  8. ^ "Feds: Fumo Used State Workers As Personal Servants", CBS 3 (Philadelphia), 2007-02-06. Retrieved on 2007-05-04. 
2^ Philadelphia Inquirer Online, "Vincent J. Fumo: A High-Impact, Controversial Career."

Philadelphia Inquirer 13 Mar 2008 24 Apr 2008 <http://www.philly.com/inquirer/special/fumo/Vincent_J_Fumo_A_High-Impact_Controversial_Career.html>.

[edit] External links