Vincent Fumo, once one of the most powerful figures in Pennsylvania politics, was convicted Monday of more than 130 counts of corruption for schemes that defrauded the state Senate and others of more than $3.5 million and helped pay for his lavish lifestyle.Thanks to the anonymous tipsterThe 65-year-old former state senator was found guilty of all 137 counts against him, which also included obstruction of justice for destroying e-mail evidence.
The jury deliberated about the Philadelphia Democrat's fate for about six days after a five-month trial that was nearly derailed at the last minute by a juror who made postings about the case to Twitter and Facebook.
Prosecutors are expected to seek a sentence of more than 10 years under federal guidelines, based on the size of the fraud, the obstruction conviction and other factors.
After the verdict was read, Fumo hugged his distraught college-age daughter and his girlfriend before leaving the courtroom.
"Just heartbroken," Fumo said when asked about the verdict as he left the courthouse. His lawyer, Dennis Cogan, said he was disappointed but would appeal.
U.S. District Judge Ronald L. Buckwalter denied a government request to revoke Fumo's bail but planned to hear arguments about possible conditions such as electronic monitoring at a hearing Monday afternoon.
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