Fumo hits the fan

Well, it's been a long time in coming, the federal investigation of Fumo, his employees, and his use of funds from his pet charity. And now it arrives, a 139-count indictment for fraud, conspiracy, tax evasion, and so forth.

"Besides relying on his income and assets to support his lifestyle, Fumo regularly endeavored to gain personal benefits and gratuities from others, including entities over which he had influence, such as the Senate [and] a non-profit organization he established and controlled, Citzens Alliance...."
. . .
U.S. Attorney Patrick Meehan said at a press conference this morning that Fumo "used his power to build an empire" to serve citizens, but "constantly diverted" money to serve his political and private agenda.

"Sen. Fumo didn't just step over the line, he completely ignored it," Meehan said.

(The above piece is quite extensive, including a list of some of the highlight charges and their import.)

Fumo tried to get out in front of the indictment, calling a press conference yesterday afternoon (um, or did he speak from the Senate floor? color me confused) to decry the charges against him, and also to step down from his State Senate leadership positions(s). The press has been happy to cover this story, offering a deluge of looks at Fumo, his character, and his impressive behind-the-scenes influence on everything and everybody:

• Admiration:
  
  
  
  • Inquirer: At home, he's become known as source of money that helps
    
    
  • Inquirer: Impact: Longtime go-to guy will still wield much power. (including speculation on the effect this might have on the mayoral race, especially for Bob Brady)
    
    
  • Daily News: FUMO'S CLOUT
    
    
  • Daily News: FUMO'S COATTAILS ARE LONG (lots here about the implications for other politicians that Fumo has supported/cultivated)
  
  
• Other related:
  
  
  
  • Here's a Sunday Inquirer piece about Fumo's charity and its friendly relations with him, for some background.
    
    
  • Here's an Inky piece on indicted politicians attempting to play defense by playing offense.
    
    
  • John Baer apparently thinks that the charges don't justify the length of the federal investigation. (A combination of needing to cross every T with a dose of local obstructionism might account for that too.) His recap of the Senator's career impressed one YPP poster, at least.
    
    
  • I wrote a piece a couple of years ago about Fumo's shady banking connections; no idea whether that will be touched on at all during the proceedings here.
    
    
  • The Inquirer reports on what public officials are saying about Fumo, but my favorite quote of the day was from State Rep. DeWeese (from one of the pieces above):

    There certainly has been only one Vince Fumo, and the long arm of the senator has exhibited unparalleled muscularity.

  • Finally, Sam Durso notes that Fumo's departure, even just as head of Appropriations, augurs a major change in the political landscape around here (sparking much discussion of a complex figure).