Prosecutors may appeal Fumo's sentence
Thursday, July 16th, 2009
Prosecutors say they are weighing their options when it comes to appealing the sentence of convicted former state Senator Vincent Fumo. The Philadelphia Democrat got four and a half years for 137 counts of fraud and obstruction of justice. Some are wondering why the sentence is so light.
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The top federal prosecutor in Philadelphia says the judge sent "a mixed message" by sentencing a former powerbroker to less than half of the federal guidelines.
Temple University Law professor Edward Ohlbaum says his jaw dropped when he learned of the sentence.
Ohlbaum: I'm in awe in the defense lawyers who apparently sang the right notes and hit the right chords, with this particular judge. They did a phenomenal job presenting a dedicated and hard working senator.
Ohlbaum says the message some politicians might take away is, its ok to steal, just make sure you work hard for constituents. But former federal prosecutor Gregory Paw, says any sentence sends a message
Paw: This is a tremendous fall for Senator Fumo and it is a tremendous deterrance for others who serve in the Philadelphia region.
Fumo will report to prison next month.
I am very surprised that there has been so little outrage expressed by the media and virtually no coverage of the two judges (Sen. Fumo and Ms. Arnao's judges). What is their sentencing history? What kind of connections do they have to the Democratic party? Are they up for re-election and when?
These comments about the tremendous impact on Fumo seem very naive.