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Pennsylvania State Senator Indicated
02/09/07
One of the most powerful lawmakers in Pennsylvania, State Senator Vincent J. Fumo, was recently indicted on a slew of federal charges. The Philadelphia RCFL is providing U.S. Attorney Patrick Meehan’s office expert digital forensics expertise in support of this investigation.
Fumo was indicted on February 6, 2007 on federal charges he used a nonprofit group for personal and political gain and defrauded the state out of $2 million. Press reports have stated that many of the 139 charges stem from Fumo’s affiliation with a nonprofit agency started by his aides in 1991 to serve the neighborhood.
According to U.S. Attorney Patrick Meehan, Fumo engaged in a systematic cover-up by destroying e-mails and other electronic records. "Senator Fumo didn’t just step over the line," U. S. Attorney Meehan said, "He completed ignored it." Certified Examiners assigned to the Philadelphia RCFL are analyzing the digital evidence associated with this investigation.
The charges against Fumo include fraud, obstruction of justice, conspiracy and tax offenses. Fumo remains in the Senate but has stepped down temporarily as the ranking Democrat on the Appropriations Committee. If convicted, Fumo likely faces a minimum of two years in prison, though he could receive a sentence of 10 years or more if found guilty on the more serious charges of conspiracy to defraud state taxpayers.
Fumo is proclaiming his innocence, and according to press reports will wage a vigorous fight to clear his name.
[Philadelphia RCFL web site ]