Pennsylvania State Senator Vince Fumo plans to argue that he deleted office emails at the instuction of his former defense lawyer Richard Sprague. The Philadelphia Daily News reports that Sprague informed the senator that it was ok to destroy any emails that were not subpoened by federal prosecutors in February of 2005. In Fumo’s world, that mean any emails that came in after that date were none of the feds business. Prosecutors got wind of this plan last Friday and immedietly issued another subpoena for all documents from Feb. 20, 2003, through Sept. 30, 2007.

Fumo’s strategy that he was told it was ok to delete more than two years worth of emails is designed to deflect blame from the senator to his former defense lawyer. He will need a good argument because two of Fumo’s senate staffers have already pled guilty to destroying emails under the orders of Fumo’s office.

Jury selection began yesterday in the trial of the democratic state senator who is charged of 139-counts alleging everything from obstruction to illegally using state funds for his own personal use. Opening arguments could begin as early as Monday. The trial in Philadelphia is expected to last until around Christmas.

Be sure and follow key dates in the trial on our Court Watch Community Calender.

Image credit: ALEJANDRO A. ALVAREZ / Daily News