Fumo gets a lawyer deadline

A federal judge said yesterday he expects state Sen. Vince Fumo to have a new lawyer by Monday to defend him at his forthcoming corruption trial.

Fumo was accompanied at yesterday's brief hearing by lawyer Robert Scandone, a longtime friend. Scandone is not in the running for the job.

After conferring with Scandone and federal prosecutors Bob Zauzmer and John Pease about lawyers Fumo is considering, U.S. District Judge William H. Yohn Jr. said he was satisfied that Fumo was making progress but suggested Fumo pick somebody soon.

"I'm trying, your honor," Fumo said. "I'll give you my word, I'll have somebody by the end of next week."

Yohn said the senator needed to step up his timetable.

"It seems to me we ought to get this done this week," the judge said, addressing Fumo directly. "You ought to be able to report back by next Monday that [an attorney] will be entering an appearance. I think we need a name next Monday."

Earlier, Scandone told the court Fumo had met in Philadelphia with two criminal-defense lawyers "he likes very much" and had discussed potential fees with both.

But Scandone said Fumo also wanted an opportunity this week to meet with two lawyers in New York and one here who were "good friends" of Fumo's with whom he had promised to talk about representing him.

Prosecutors declined to comment on yesterday's proceedings, which had been scheduled by Yohn after a similar hearing Sept. 28.

At that time, Yohn briefly floated the idea of revoking Fumo's bail to expedite the hiring of new counsel, but then scheduled a hearing for yesterday to "finalize" selection of counsel.

Fumo had been represented by lawyer Richard A. Sprague, a longtime friend, but the senator told Yohn last month that he felt he needed a new lawyer because Sprague's firm has conflicts that might hamper his defense.

Fumo, 64, is charged with using state Senate workers to do personal and political errands, and with bilking the South Philadelphia nonprofit Citizens Alliance for Better Neighborhoods Inc. out of more than $1 million.

He also is accused of defrauding the Independence Seaport Museum and engaging in a coverup to foil an FBI probe.

Fumo is recovering from back surgery. He recently put his Fairmount mansion on the market for $7 million.