State Sen. Vincent J. Fumo. The chairman of Dilworth Paxon said Fumo did not write briefs or argue cases, but was paid to "market the services of the firm."
Page: 6 of 6 View All
A business deluge, a rainmaker under a cloud
Assistance Agency
Contact staff writer Mario F. Cattabiani
Work history: Dilworth served as underwriters' counsel on four bond issues between 2002 and 2004 that raised $993 million to finance student loans.
Fees paid to Dilworth: $188,500.
Ties to Fumo: The senator has served on the 20-member PHEAA board since 1993. He was vice chairman from 1995 until this year.
Comment: PHEAA spokesman Keith New said Fumo played no role in selecting Dilworth; PHEAA chief executive Dick Willey declined to comment on whether Fumo had recommended the firm.
Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission
Work history: Since 1998, Dilworth has received an increasing amount of legal work from the turnpike.
Fees paid to Dilworth: About $2 million for bond work since 1998; another $1 million for other legal services over the last dozen years.
Ties to Fumo: In 1998, Fumo arranged for close friend Mitchell Rubin to join the commission. He replaced Bob Brady, the city Democratic chairman and Fumo ally who left upon winning a seat in Congress. Rubin became turnpike chairman in 2003.
Comment: Fumo spokesman Gary Tuma told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review in 20w05 that the senator does not personally benefit from Dilworth's turnpike work.
Independence Blue Cross
Work history: A spokeswoman for IBC said Dilworth Paxson was among several major Philadelphia law firms it employed, and the relationship began more than 15 years ago.
Fees paid to Dilworth: As The Inquirer reported in 2000, public records showed Dilworth had earned more than $1 million from IBC in the preceding six years. More recent figures were unavaiable.
Ties to Fumo: He has been on IBC's board since 1989, taking a leave after his recent indictment. He was close friends with IBC's late chairman, G. Fred DiBona Jr.
Comment: Fumo "had no role in our decision to select Dilworth," said Christopher Cashman, senior vice president. "Dilworth is a long-established, well-regarded firm."
- Andrew Maykuth, Craig R. McCoy,
and Mario F. Cattabiani
Contact staff writer Mario F. Cattabiani
at 717-787-5990 or mcattabiani@phillynews.com.
Inquirer staff writers Marcia Gelbart and John Shiffman contributed to this article.
