Fmr U.S. Attorney: Fumo trial should lead to reform in Harrisburg

    A federal judge has set bail at $2 million for former state Senator Vincent Fumo. A jury convicted the once powerful Democrat of 137 counts of fraud and obstruction of justice Monday after five days of deliberation.

    A federal judge has set bail at $2 million for former state Senator Vincent Fumo. A jury convicted the once powerful Democrat of 137 counts of fraud and obstruction of justice Monday after five days of deliberation.
    Caption: Former U.S. Attorney Patrick Meehan
    Transcript:
    Jurors say the evidence against Fumo was overwhelming, and his own testimony hurt his case. Juror Myrna DeVoren from Havertown said Fumo got carried away by money and power.

    DeVoren: “Here’s a man, thirty years as a senator, he started out doing good for people in my opinion and then somewhere he crossed the line. I’m not sure with money and power. I’m not sure why people cross that line.”

    Former U.S. Attorney Patrick Meehan says he hopes the conviction will generate reform at the State Capitol.

    Meehan: “Hopefully this is a peak inside the Harrisburg Capitol dome. It will shed some light on the ways the office was able to be abused. The lack of scrutiny on the way dollars were being spent.”

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    A hearing later this week will determine what property Fumo may have to forfeit.

    Listen:
    Click on the play button below or right click on this link and choose “Save Link As” to download. [audio: reports20090317meehan.mp3]

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