Culture of corruption alert: Pennsylvania Democrat convicted on 137 counts

By Michelle Malkin  •  March 16, 2009 03:31 PM

Huge outcome in the Vincent Fumo federal corruption trial in Pennsylvania today. He’s an unhinged Democrat and slimeball former state senator. And he’s headed to the Graybar Hotel:

Former State Sen. Vincent Fumo was convicted of all 137 counts against him today as his marathon federal corruption trial ended in a stunning victory for prosecutors.

The jury also found co-defendant Ruth Arnao guilty of all 45 counts against her.

After a 30-minute hearing this afternoon, U.S. District Judge Ronald L. Buckwalter agreed to let Fumo and Arnao remain free pending sentencing although he ordered them to post bail of $2 million and $500,000, respectively, by Wednesday.

For decades, Fumo was one of Philly’s most powerful Democrats. And one of the craziest. I wrote about him in 2005 when he melted down during a legislative battle and screamed “faggot” at his political opponents. Good riddance:

The 12 jurors filed in five minutes later and Buckwalter asked the audience for quiet, explaining that jury forewoman Karen White was never asked to have to deliver this type of news before such a large audience.

White then began the 11-minute process of announcing the verdict on each of the 141 counts spread over the 18-page form charging Fumo and Arnao variously with counts of conspiracy, mail fraud, wire fraud, obstruction of justice and filing false tax returns.

By count 65, White’s voice began to cloud from speaking in the hot courtroom and she asked for water before continuing. She had more water at count 99. The monotonous repetition of guilty verdicts tripped White only once, causing her to announce a guilty verdict for Fumo on a count in which only Arnao was charged.

Fumo was charged with conspiring to defraud the state Senate by using employees for personal and political-campaign work on state time.

He also was charged with defrauding the South Philadelphia nonprofit, Citizens’ Alliance for Better Neighborhoods, by getting it to pay for thousands of tools, consumer goods and other items.

Arnao, a former aide to Fumo who headed Citizens’ Alliance, was charged in that conspiracy.

Fumo also was charged with defrauding the Independence Seaport Museum by getting free yacht cruises.

He and Arnao also were accused of conspiring to obstruct FBI and IRS investigation.

Fumo, 65, a senator since 1978, had been one of the most powerful Democrats in Philadelphia and in Harrisburg. He chaired the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee and also influenced elections for City Council, judgeships and the state legislature.

Posted in: Corruption, Democrats

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Comments


  1. #650186
    On March 16th, 2009 at 3:33 pm, emjem24 said:

    Is this the “era of corruption” or what?

    Has anybody asked Nancy how she feels about this?

  2. #650187
    On March 16th, 2009 at 3:34 pm, Jeff2161 said:

    WOW a corruptocrat ?
    :shock:

    Pardon me !

  3. #650193
    On March 16th, 2009 at 3:40 pm, sonofdy said:

    A DEM GOT JAILED????

    Is the judge and jury still alive?

  4. #650196
    On March 16th, 2009 at 3:44 pm, NJ-Aviator said:

    Fumo was charged with conspiring to defraud the state Senate by using employees for personal and political-campaign work on state time.

    Wait a minute……… this is different from using your position as a US Senator from Connecticut to get a sweet loan deal….. how exactly?

  5. #650197
    On March 16th, 2009 at 3:44 pm, MNUSMCDavid said:

    a Dem getting jailed…. typical….. a Dem yelling “faggot”… priceless.

  6. #650200
    On March 16th, 2009 at 3:46 pm, flmom said:

    Hmm, maybe Murtha will be next?

  7. #650202
    On March 16th, 2009 at 3:46 pm, NotaSlickFan said:

    When is William Jefferson going to get his trip to the “Graybar Hotel”? Heck, let him take his (empty) freezer with him. His case has been going on since ‘05, why the delay in issuing his nice new pin-stripes? Just asking.

  8. #650206
    On March 16th, 2009 at 3:48 pm, cheapseat said:

    this seems remarkably like a certain congressman from detroit who has his staffers babysit his kids, fetch his laundry, and chauffer his wife about. but it must be different or nancy would be all over congressman conyers, after all she runs the most ethical congress in history.

  9. #650210
    On March 16th, 2009 at 3:50 pm, Flyoverman said:

    So what? We caught a minnow. I want to see one of the Great Whites caught and landed.

  10. #650215
    On March 16th, 2009 at 3:52 pm, ITookTheRedPill said:

    I frequently pray for corruption to be exposed, and I thank God every time that prayer is answered.

    The biggest corruption in our government right now is the usurper in the oval office.

    I pray for the truth to be revealed, that corruption to be exposed, and all who played a role (from Obama to Biden to Pelosi and more) to be removed from office and sent to jail.

  11. #650216
    On March 16th, 2009 at 3:52 pm, JohnnyD said:

    Fumo, 65, a senator since 1978, had been one of the most powerful Democrats in Philadelphia and in Harrisburg. He chaired the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee….

    30 yrs in politics? Is there any wonder why professional political careers are too long?? This is just example 29,435,209,123 of why we should boot them out regularly. I don’t care how “good” they are for the “community”! Bread gets stale, then molds and gets tossed in the garbage. I see no difference in politics!

  12. #650221
    On March 16th, 2009 at 3:53 pm, ITookTheRedPill said:

    Flyoverman, we think alike.

  13. #650224
    On March 16th, 2009 at 3:55 pm, tarpon said:

    If only we actually had a fair media in the USA.

  14. #650226
    On March 16th, 2009 at 3:56 pm, Ed Mahmoud abu al-Kahoul said:

    3 kinds of Dems.

    Commiecrats
    Stupidcrats
    Corrupticrats.

    The Pennsylvania type seem to lean towards the last classification.

  15. #650229
    On March 16th, 2009 at 3:58 pm, Ed Mahmoud abu al-Kahoul said:

    Some Dems do display a mix, Our Dear Leader seems to have tendencies of both a Commiecrat and a Corrupticrat, Babs Boxer of California is a hybrid Stupidcrat and Commiecrat.

  16. #650243
    On March 16th, 2009 at 4:07 pm, love2rumba said:

    …scratch one corruptocrat…on to Murtha!

  17. #650247
    On March 16th, 2009 at 4:09 pm, Roman Con said:

    What do you want to bet that the MSM does not acknowledge his party affiliation (if they even report it).

  18. #650262
    On March 16th, 2009 at 4:17 pm, Rogue Cheddar said:

    On March 16th, 2009 at 3:50 pm, Flyoverman said:
    So what? We caught a minnow. I want to see one of the Great Whites caught and landed.

    Sen. Teddy already escaped that net, and they’re building a freakin monument to that bloated carcass.

    Quint: “Y’all know me. Know how I earn a livin’. I’ll catch this bird for you, but it ain’t gonna be easy. Bad fish. Not like going down the pond chasin’ bluegills and tommycods. This shark, swallow you whole. Little shakin’, little tenderizin’, an’ down you go. And we gotta do it quick, that’ll bring back your tourists, put all your businesses on a payin’ basis. But it’s not gonna be pleasant. I value my neck a lot more than three thousand bucks, chief. I’ll find him for three, but I’ll catch him, and kill him, for ten. But you’ve gotta make up your minds. If you want to stay alive, then ante up. If you want to play it cheap, be on welfare the whole winter. I don’t want no volunteers, I don’t want no mates, there’s just too many captains on this island. Ten thousand dollars for me by myself. For that you get the head, the tail, the whole damn thing. ”

    Quint: “shark comes to the nearest man, that man he starts poundin’ and hollerin’ and screamin’ and sometimes the shark go away… but sometimes he wouldn’t go away. Sometimes that shark he looks right into ya. Right into your eyes. And, you know, the thing about a shark… he’s got lifeless eyes. Black eyes. Like a doll’s eyes. When he comes at ya, doesn’t seem to be living… until he bites ya, and those black eyes roll over white and then… ah then you hear that terrible high-pitched screamin’. The ocean turns red, and despite all the poundin’ and the hollerin’, they all come in and they… rip you to pieces.”

  19. #650280
    On March 16th, 2009 at 4:27 pm, txvet2 said:

    30 years??? It’s about time he got out of the way so the next crook in line can get to the trough.

  20. #650293
    On March 16th, 2009 at 4:34 pm, Dexter Alarius said:

    And, you know, the thing about a shark Obama… he’s got lifeless eyes. Black eyes. Like a doll’s eyes. When he comes at ya, doesn’t seem to be living… until he bites taxes ya, and those black eyes roll over white and then… ah then you hear that terrible high-pitched screamin’. The ocean bottom line turns red, and despite all the poundin’ and the hollerin’, they the IRS all come in and they… rip you to pieces.”

    shudder!!!

  21. #650321
    On March 16th, 2009 at 4:52 pm, On-my-soap-box said:

    ROFL

    Can some liberal PLEASE defend this one?

  22. #650322
    On March 16th, 2009 at 4:53 pm, Jeddite said:

    One wonders if the people of Pennsylvania would still reelect him to office…

  23. #650367
    On March 16th, 2009 at 5:26 pm, Salt said:

    …on the charge of… we find the defendant guilty.

    …on the charge of… we find the defendant guilty.

    That poor woman. She should have requested an omnibus sentencing: no one would actually read it and everyone would assume it’s all for the best. /sarc

  24. #650399
    On March 16th, 2009 at 6:07 pm, John Deaux said:

    A corrupt Democrat? Unheard of. I refuse to believe it.

    Bush/Cheney/Rove were much, much worse.
    /lgm

  25. #650442
    On March 16th, 2009 at 7:15 pm, vickisoup said:

    I pray for the truth to be revealed, that corruption to be exposed, and all who played a role (from Obama to Biden to Pelosi and more) to be removed from office and sent to jail.

    Amen, ITRP.

  26. #650462
    On March 16th, 2009 at 7:53 pm, NestingHawk said:

    It’s the minnows that later grow into great whites. Catching a small-timer before they become a big-timer is worth celebrating.

  27. #650508
    On March 16th, 2009 at 9:26 pm, right_on said:

    And he’s headed to the Graybar Hotel:

    Justice. Let’s see how all that power mis-used, works out for him in bee-yotch land….

  28. #650523
    On March 16th, 2009 at 9:51 pm, cicerokid said:

    On March 16th, 2009 at 3:50 pm, Flyoverman said:
    “So what? We caught a minnow. I want to see one of the Great Whites caught and landed.”

    I want to see the Great half-white caught and landed, Flyoverman!!

  29. #650540
    On March 16th, 2009 at 10:16 pm, Flyoverman said:

    On March 16th, 2009 at 9:51 pm, cicerokid said:

    I want to see the Great half-white caught and landed, Flyoverman!!

    After reading this article I am with you all the way.

    EVERY VETERAN READ THIS.

    http://news.yahoo.com/s/usnw/20090316/pl_usnw/the_american_legion_strongly_opposed_to_president_s_plan_to_charge_wounded_heroes_for_treatment

  30. #650613
    On March 17th, 2009 at 12:18 am, Jet Jaguar said:

    Wow! You know he must have been especially evil if even the “D” after his name didn’t protect him.

  31. #650614
    On March 17th, 2009 at 12:22 am, Jet Jaguar said:

    Forgot to mention… I know it’s wrong to gloat over an enemy’s misfortune or comeuppance, but I must admit that it feels good to see a terrible person reap the whirlwind that he has sown. I pray that he learns from this and becomes a better man.

  32. #650621
    On March 17th, 2009 at 12:44 am, Bogtrotter said:

    Saw this story early this morning and went to DU to see if theDUmmies were talking about it. One story, FOUR comments…. No mention of Party affiliation anywhere, of course.

  33. #650631
    On March 17th, 2009 at 1:17 am, Jet Jaguar said:

    On March 17th, 2009 at 12:44 am, Bogtrotter said:

    Saw this story early this morning and went to DU to see if theDUmmies were talking about it. One story, FOUR comments…. No mention of Party affiliation anywhere, of course.

    Right. Anytime party affiliation is not mentioned, you know it’s a Democrap. What is really disgusting is when a Republican is smeared (and usually deserving, but so are Dems, if not more so) by the media referring to them as Rep. so-and-so…

  34. #650659
    On March 17th, 2009 at 5:40 am, graysonret said:

    When is William Jefferson going to get his trip to the “Graybar Hotel”?

    Jefferson is still useful to the democrats. Fumo wasn’t. Expect more “purges” in the near future, to appease the American public. The big “sharks” will stay immune…until their usefulness is no longer needed.

  35. #650841
    On March 17th, 2009 at 10:41 am, TooMuchTime said:

    After reading this article I am with you all the way.

    EVERY VETERAN READ THIS.

    Flyoverman, that article reminds me of a quote by George Washington:

    The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional as to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation.

    Having the veterans pay for their medical care is just another way for the socialist to destroy the military, and then the country.

  36. #650962
    On March 17th, 2009 at 11:27 am, Bogtrotter said:

    Hey Jet Jaguar, it gets better. I went back and googled the guys name. Lots of threads for the past few years. ALL of which have fewer comments than is normal. The word DDemocrat is carefully avoided. And yes, they do rag on the Bush AG for going after him,……. you know they just cannot help but do so. LOL!

  37. #650976
    On March 17th, 2009 at 11:34 am, pueblo1032 said:

    This is ALMOST FUNNY!!! How did I know this guy was a DEM??? Had a 2 paragraph entry in our LOCAL RAG yesterday… No mention of PARTY AFFILIATION… Something just told me he was DEM… In the words of that GREAT HUMAN BEING, MARTY FELDMAN, as IGOR in “YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN”… “CALL IT A HUNCH”…

  38. #651122
    On March 17th, 2009 at 1:03 pm, Ilovemycountry said:
  39. #669839
    On April 6th, 2009 at 1:17 pm, FirstSkirt said:

    AGAIN,IHMC, drags up a FORMER GOP politician to counter-act the crook from Pennsylvania. Look at the difference in the charges, dummy! And…notice that the FORMER GOP is mentioned in the headline, not like usual stories about demoncrats that you finally find (if at all) their party affiliation buried deep in the article.Spare me your “you guys are crooks, too” crap!!

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