PhillyTablet Inquirer Daily News
Mobile
Home Delivery
philly.com
email
font size
comments
32
options
 
Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Nutter: Fumo Verdict "Difficult...To Fully Understand"

What do you think of the 55-month prison sentence given to former State Sen. Vincent Fumo?
Too short
Too long
The right length
View results

“In light of other cases like this, it’s difficult to look at the verdict and fully understand the rationale behind the length of the sentence and designated restitution amounts. Nevertheless, a simple, yet important message was reinforced today - - those who abuse the trust of the public, especially elected officials, will be caught and punished.”  -- Mayor Nutter, reacting to news that former state Sen. Vince Fumo will spend four and a half years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for his conviction in March on 137 corruption charges.

Nutter appeared to comparing Fumo's sentence, handed down this afternoon, to those of former city Treasurer Corey Kemp, who is serving 10 years in federal prison, and former City Councilman Rick Mariano, who is serving six years in federal prison.  Kemp and Mariano were convicted on corruption charges that involved far less money than the Fumo case.

Fumo must also pay a fine of $411,000 and pay restitution of $1.3 million to the state Senate and $676,519 to Citizens Alliance for Better Neighborhoods, a non-profit he started.
Posted by Chris Brennan @ 7:29 PM  Permalink | 32 comments
Comments   
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:06 PM, 07/14/2009
    I think the message delivered today is that as a politician you may skirt around the edges of the law and morality and as long as you do "good works" that'll be enough to ensure leniency if you 're caught.
    — jeffrey215
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:06 PM, 07/14/2009
    Looks like politicians get special treatment no matter how much they take from us.
    — phlyfumblr
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:15 PM, 07/14/2009
    They can find out why Rendell repeatedly allowed Parole Board Chairman McVey to refuse to provide documentation to State Auditors regarding the impossibly high caseload numbers...and the destroying of other documents. Philadelphia has had to make up the shortfall of our rightfull share of State assests for years. Rendell is responsibile for turning Philadelphia into "Killadelphia" the largest Open Air Prison in America and 1st in the Nation in COP KILLINGs. And you have helped him Mr. Mayor. The number for the U.S. Attorneys Office in Phila. is 215-861-8200. The President's comment line is 1-202-456-1111. If you decide to finally makes some calls Mr. Mayor...you just maybe saving alot of lives and good families. Maybe it's time for OPM Rendell to join his friend OPM Fumo in Federal Prison. Maybe it's time you stand up and sue the State for all the money we've spent to make up for Rendell shortchanging us on State Assests (like State Parole Agents, more State Prison beds, etc).
    — John Law
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:16 PM, 07/14/2009
    He'll throw one heck of a swanky party before he slinks off to the hoosegow. He probably still has a lot of our money to burn.
    — DC
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:17 PM, 07/14/2009
    this guy betrayed the public trust. put him away for the rest of his life.
    — donafile
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:19 PM, 07/14/2009
    Ridiculous sentence! Dem politicians look out for each other; that's for sure!
    — PennGuy86
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:47 PM, 07/14/2009
    PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS JUDGE AND DO NOT RE-ELECT HIM EVER!
    — SlinkTMP
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:54 PM, 07/14/2009
    What a miscarriage of justice. The prosecution should appeal this sentence with all they have. This guy is so crooked it stinks. I think the judge should be investigated. It shouldn't surprise anyone, however. Philadelphia politics and the justice system are so corrupt they will never get it cleaned up. Isn't it convenient that the rotten politician gets to enjoy the rest of his summer at his shore home that was probably paid for with his corrupt money before going off to prison. His sentence should begin immediately.
    — DebP
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:00 PM, 07/14/2009
    Exactly Frank the Tank. I hope they send him to federal PMITA prison.
    — Scholes
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:17 PM, 07/14/2009
    this sentence is a joke
    — petethecat
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:31 PM, 07/14/2009
    This sentence is an embarrassment to the entire legal system. Shameful day in Philadelphia... another one.
    — GoCatsGo
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:37 PM, 07/14/2009
    Clearly Nutter should keep his mouth shut. Fumo - sins aside - was competent. Nutter on the other hand...
    — PhillyBoy


32 comments | View All Comments | View All By Latest
View comments: 1  |  2  |  3
About The Philly Clout Team
PhillyClout
Chris Brennan, a native Philadelphian and graduate of Temple University, joined the Daily News in 1999. He has written about SEPTA, the Philadelphia School District, the legalization of casino gambling, state government, the mayor, the governor, City Council and political campaigns.
 Follow Chris on Twitter

David Gambacorta spent a small eternity writing about cops, drug dealers and serial killers. Now he’s writing about power and politics ­– which sometimes reminds him of the old crime beat. He joined the Daily News in 2005. And yes, he knows you’re not quite sure how to pronounce his last name. E-mail tips to gambacd@phillynews.com
 Follow Dave on Twitter.

Catherine Lucey joined the Daily News in 2002 and has written about murderous drug gangs, political protesters and Harry Potter. After covering the 2007 mayoral election, she moved over to the City Hall bureau where she has been reporting on the Nutter administration.
 Follow Catherine on Twitter

Jan Ransom, a native New Yorker, joined the Daily News in 2010 after graduating from Howard University. She has since written about the difficulty of filing police complaints, tax deadbeats and life after violent home invasions. She joined the Daily News City Hall Bureau in 2011 and has plunged headfirst into reporting on administration budget battles and City Council shenanigans.
 Follow Jan on Twitter



Share your tips

Catherine Lucey
luceyc@phillynews.com

Chris Brennan
brennac@phillynews.com

Jan Ransom
Ransomj@phillynews.com
Advertise Here