Prosecution: Fumo faces 21 to 27 year jail term

Former Pennsylvania state Senator Vincent Fumo could get between 21 to 27 years in prison for his $3.5 million corruption case. The 66-year-old Fumo was convicted in March of defrauding the Senate, a charity and a museum.

Former Pennsylvania state Senator Vincent Fumo could get between 21 to 27 years in prison for his $3.5 million corruption case. The 66-year-old Fumo was convicted in March of defrauding the Senate, a charity and a museum.

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Court officials made the recommendation after investigating Fumo’s background, work history, family relationships and his sense of responsibility for the crime.

Former federal prosecutor and criminal defense attorney Barry Gross says the guidelines used to be mandatory, but now are only advisory. But he says its likely the judge won’t deviate too far from the recommendation.

Gross: The real thing is the nature of the crime and the amount of money involved. And whether the defendant had any special role or used his status in any way.

Gross says the defense will probably challenge the prosecutor’s calculation of the dollar amount of the fraud.

Fumo’s attorney Dennis Cogan says the sentencing guideline calculation is based only on the prosecution’s view and the defense will file objections soon.

Fumo also applied to have his sentencing postponed several months.