Prosecutors: Fumo should get at least 17 years for ‘astonishing’ corruption

Federal prosecutors are recommending that former Pennsylvania state Sen. Vince Fumo get more than 17 years in prison when he is resentenced next month for his corruption conviction.

 

A federal jury found Fumo guilty of 137 criminal counts two years ago, but Judge Ronald Buckwalter sentenced him to only 55 months in prison.

 

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Prosecutors said that was too lenient, and an appeals court ordered Buckwalter to resentence Fumo next month.

In a new sentencing memorandum, assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Zauzmer said that “the corruption exposed in this case was astonishing.”

Zauzmer also accused Buckwalter of “factual misstatements” in his decision, citing his assertion that “not a dime went directly to the defendant” in the case.

Zauzmer called the notion “inexplicable, given the proof that Fumo used over $4 million of funds” from the Senate and two nonprofits for his personal benefit. Zauzmer recommended a sentence of 17 to 21 years, slightly less than prosecutors sought two years ago. Defense attorneys say the original sentence was fair.

Fumo will appear in person for his sentencing hearing Nov. 9.

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