Over the years, the Dilworth firm has received a stream of work on turnpike bond issues, starting before Fumo joined the law firm.

With Rubin's arrival and his ascension to the post of chairman, the stream became a river.

According to the the turnpike's own figures, in the dozen years before Rubin joined the turnpike board, Dilworth was a relatively small participant in bond work there, providing legal advice for four deals.

In the nine years since he arrived, Dilworth has been involved in 21 bond issues.

Since 1998, the turnpike has not issued a bond without Dilworth having a role.

In those years, Dilworth has been paid about $2 million for bond work, said turnpike spokesman William Capone. He said the turnpike has also paid the firm an additional $1 million for other legal services.

In a 2005 article in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Gary Tuma, Fumo's press secretary, said the senator did not personally benefit from Dilworth's turnpike work. In a recent interview, Joseph Brimmeier, the turnpike's chief executive, said that Dilworth did "a very excellent job for us," and that as far as he knew, Fumo had "no influence as to who gets picked."

At Dilworth, Jacovini said he didn't know precisely what role Fumo may have had in getting turnpike work for the firm.

"I'm sure there were a variety of factors that come into play," Jacovini said. "No doubt he was consulted. I'm sure that he said they were a fine firm."

Clients and Connections

Dilworth Paxson does legal work for a range of state and city agencies, as well as for some of the region's major corporations.

State Sen. Vincent J. Fumo has influence over many agencies and the private sector.

Here's a look at some Dilworth clients and their connections to Fumo. The firm's fees from these clients have totaled more than $12 million, according to the clients and public records.

Commonwealth Financing Authority

Work history: The state authority was created in 2004 to borrow money to pay for economic improvement projects. Dilworth has worked as underwriters' counsel on three bond deals.

Fees paid to Dilworth: $246,000.

Ties to Fumo: Harrisburg politicians worked out a deal for Democratic and Republican legislative leaders to divvy up the legal work. A top Fumo aide told the authority that Dilworth was the choice of Senate Democrats.

Comment: Agency officials could not be reached.

Philadelphia city bonds