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Friday, July 10, 2009
Feds on Fumo's "Social History" -- Tell It To Corey Kemp
Fumo

The U.S. Attorney's Office just filed in court a sentencing memo -- you can read it here -- for former state Sen. Vince Fumo. He was convicted in March on 137 federal corruption counts.  Prosecutors, who are calling on U.S. District Judge Ronald Buckwalter to sentence Fumo on Tuesday to more than 15 years in federal prison, were completely unimpressed with a "social history" provided to the court by the once-powerful politician's defense team.

The memo derides this history as a "stunningly opinionated piece written by a local social worker based solely on discussion with Fumo and his friends and relatives" which explains how Fumo thought he was picked on as a young boy, hesitated at school dances in approaching girls, had problems with fidelity, had family members who did not like each other and is a shy and withdrawn person.

The memo suggests that Fumo should take a big fall like some other public officials tripped up in corruption probes.  Former City Councilman Rick Mariano is serving six years in federal prison for taking bribes. Former city Treasurer Corey Kemp is serving 10 years.  Kemp's history especially stood out to the prosecutors.  Kemp was convicted of taking gifts from the late Ron White, a political fund-raiser for former mayor John Street and others, in return for steering legal work to White.

"Kemp actually came from an impoverished background and a difficult neighborhood, and worked his way through school to a position of prominence," prosecutors wrote in the memo. "Let him respond to Fumo's “social history,” while he serves his 10-year sentence ... for committing crimes that pale in comparison to those of Fumo's."

Posted by Chris Brennan @ 4:45 PM  Permalink | 10 comments
Comments   
Posted 04:25 AM, 07/11/2009
FJG JR
It galls me to know, a letter from another politician or politician's, can un-nerve a federal judge. Why did he reveal his lighter sentence now, he could have just did it on Tuesday, and then explained himself. Why is he telegraphing his punches? This trial cost us taxpayer's a lot of money, and it hurt a lot of people. But the most suffering will be down the road. All those who believed in the system, will be fretting over this a long time, and most important, a lighter sentence will fuel their hatred for all politicians. I like Vince, but he must take the bullet, if he really cares about Philadelphia. Do a James Cagney Vincent, cry on the way to the chair. The people will remember you as a man who cares for the system you served wrongly.
Comment removed.
Posted 10:52 AM, 07/11/2009
Barryboy
Right on the money JoeMamma
Posted 10:01 AM, 07/12/2009
dSmith
I have to agree with JoeMamma. This trial was held simply to justify the millions the FBI spent on the investigation. They came up with nothing and had to find a way to show that their effort wasn't wasted. As for Kemp and Mariano, these guys were caught doing actual corruption.
Posted 10:43 AM, 07/12/2009
cityslicker
Fumo brought in millions to the impovershed city of phila and it wasnt for the rich,it was for the working man,senior citizens and the poor.Maybe if he was still in power the state and the city wouldnt be in the situation it is now.He knew how to get things done,sure he might have been a little arrogant and stepped on some toes but when you deal with people that thave money you have to be tough or they will walk all over you.Fumo used commen sense,street smarts and made alot of people make money legally.Just ask councilman kenney he was his chief of staff ,had fumo support to become a councilman over the years, without fumo kenney was nothing,fumo asked him for only a letter to write to the federal judge on his behalf and he turned his back on him !! so much for loyalty eh ?? now he has his head up nutters a@@ thinking he will protect him when he runs again NEWSFLASH you better start packing because you have shown that the only thing you are loyal to is yourself and dont care about the city and its people so for the next term your out along with the one time mayor.Fumo will be missed dearly in this city and i hope the judge can look clearly through all the retoric and give him a light sentence.
Posted 03:11 AM, 07/13/2009
Anthony Palmer
Wow! Cityslicker how can you be so blind? Fumo a nice guy? Yea, he enriched folks, but not before he wet his own beak first, from taxpayers money no less! You and JoeMamma are exactly the reason why people living on the east side of the city have had a long line of felons representing us: Jim Tayoun, Ray Lederer, Leland Beloff, Rick Mariano, Vincent Fumo, etc etc....the list goes on forever.
Posted 04:15 AM, 07/13/2009
FJG JR
Tomorrow is sentencing at the Federal Courthouse. Starts, I think around 10:00 a.m. A sign out on the sidewalk, conveying your thought's, would be great. The news will pick up on it, and your message delivered to the people. Oh, by the way, wear a mask, if you don't want to be next.
Posted 06:02 AM, 07/13/2009
buckqd@verizon.net888
"Judge nott less you be judged". I sincerely hope that the judge looks at the entire 30 plus years of the career of Vincent Fumo,for if he does,there is noway he could render the sentence that the prosecutors are calling for! Did the former St.Sen make mistakes,Yes, and the punishment for them will be given on Tuesday,but the positives of this man FAR outweigh the negatives. There are thousands in this city & state who have benefitted while V. Fumo was in office. He was ALWAYS there for his constituents, why else was he re-elected over & over again? We will remember and be grateful for all the positives he accomplished for this city & state,like I said THEY far outweigh the negatives! Vince Fumo ,as our St.Sen., will be sorely missed!
Posted 07:56 AM, 07/13/2009
cuch
No doubt Fumo did a lot of good for his consitituents, but with always the underlining factor of creating a stronger political foothold for him to enrich himself. Unfortunately it embarrasses me to think that people who grew up in the same neinborhood as I did can not reconize right from wrong. Because a hedge fund CEO, coaches little league, helps people find jobs through recomendations, donates money to causes, does not make him any less of a thief for running a ponzi scheme. How is it that you people just don't see that. I don't think Vince deserves 25 years but he does deserve something, and he should pay restitutiion for every dime he stole.
Posted 11:14 AM, 07/13/2009
Fishtowner4Ever
Poor Vince, he is a shy and withdrawn person who doesn't want to go to prison. He wasn't too shy to wield his power to enrich himself at the expense of the taxpayers. I am looking forward to seeing the Prince being housed, fed and clothed at the taxpayers expense. Unfortunately, it will not be as lavish as poor Vince is accustomed to :-).
10 comments
About Chris Brennan and Catherine Lucey
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.

Catherine Lucey joined the Daily News in 2002. Since then she has written about murderous drug gangs, political protesters and Harry Potter. For the past two years, she covered the 2007 mayoral election. Now that the battle is over, she has moved down to the City Hall bureau where she will report on the Nutter administration.

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