Fumo, Rendell testify about power, work ethic

Following testimony by Gov. Rendell, retired State Sen. Vincent J. Fumo took the stand this morning in his own defense at his federal corruption trial.

Fumo, the South Philadelphia Democrat, spoke of how John F. Kennedy - "our Barack Obama" - inspired his interest in public service and how influence is important in politics.

"The more power you can accumulate, the more you can get done," Fumo said, under questioning from his attorney, Dennis Cogan.

Fumo, 65, wearing a black suit and baby blue tie with think pink diagonal stripes, told the jury of growing up in Philadelphia, attending St. Joe's Prep and Villanova University, and becoming a parochial school teacher.

He spoke of becoming a state senator and his rise to chairmanship of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, mentioning various staff members and associates in response to questions.

He helped Roxanne Jones become the first African-American woman elected to the state senate, he said, and explained he helped candidates so they might help him down the road.

When Fumo took over the family bank, it had assets of $1.5 million, but when he sold it, its assets totalled a half-billion dollars, he said.

He also responded to questions about personal errands by staffers ("there are no guidelines"), how familiar he was with computers ("I was the guy who at least knew how to turn it on, and I became head of computer services"), and using profanity in e-mails ("in one sense, I apologize:).

During his 15 minutes on the stand, Gov. Rendell spoke of Fumo's work ethic.

"His job became his life," Rendell said. "It's a 24/7 task."

"There was never a time that I needed to reach Sen. Fumo that I couldn't reach Sen. Fumo," Rendell said.

On cross examination, Rendell agreed with a question posed by Assistant U.S. Attorney John J. Pease that "public service is a public trust" and working hard doesn't give someone dispensation to break the law.

However, the governor said, "sometimes the microscope is so intense I sometimes wonder how we will continue to get people into public service."

The governor spoke as Fumo's lawyers worked to conclude the defense portion of the case.

One of Fumo's drivers testified last week that he occasionally took Fumo to Rendell's home for meetings that began as late as midnight.

Fumo, a once-powerful Democrat in Harrisburg and in Philadelphia, is charged with defrauding the State Senate by getting workers to do personal and political-campaign errands for him, defrauding two nonprofits and obstructing the FBI investigation.