Feds on Fumo's "Social History" -- Tell It To Corey Kemp

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in approaching girls, had problems with fidelity, had family members who did not like each other and is a shy and withdrawn person.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."