Letters seeking leniency for Fumo are released

The federal judge who sentenced Vincent J. Fumo to 55 months in prison today released copies of the roughly 250 letters written on behalf of the former state senator seeking leniency for him.

The letter writers included friends, relatives, former employees, constituents, political and community leaders.

On the list were lawyers, bankers, educators, a Jesuit priest, a union leader, a retired state Supreme Court justice and, as has been widely reported, Gov. Rendell.

U.S. District Court Justice Ronald L. Buckwalter cited the show of support for Fumo as one reason he sentenced the once powerful Democratic politian to 4 years and 7 months instead of the 15 years prosecutors had sought.

In his letter to Buckwalter, former high court Justice Stephen A. Zappala stressed that he did not "condone, excuse, or take lightly the matter before you."

"As a person I have met few of his equal," wrote Zappala, who said he had known Fumo since 1982.

"He is intelligent, he speaks candidly, and in many instances persuasively. He never deviates from what he considers to be his principled rationale."

Zappala noted that as a polititican Fumo had formed a "partnership" with the state judiciary offering "unwavering assistance" in the creation of the State Computerization Program and providing "a constantly friendly ear regarding judicial pay raises."

"Having reviewed the man as a person, a political figure, a professional and a family man, I consider him to be someone worthy of having his many contributions and accomplishments recognized in this matter," the former judge said. "It is my hope that the events that have transpired over a relatively small period of his public and private life would not completely overshadow all the good that has brought forthe over the past three decades."

Edward Coryell, business manager of the Carpenter's Union, praised Fumo for helping the union obtain a grant to offset the costs of its apprentice training program.

"Thanks to Senator Fumo, we used this grant to increase the number of minorities and women we train, and upgarde the machinery we use to train cabinetmakers," wrote Coryell, who union is based in Fumo's former District. "Without Vince;s help. . . .none of these improvments would have taken place."