US Govt. Hopes To Keep Disgraced Politician Vince Fumo on Short Leash During Probation
By Tony Hanson
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The government has now filed its reply to the request for more liberty from former Pennsylvania state senator Vincent Fumo, and it's position should come as no surprise.
Fumo, convicted of corruption and forced out of his position as one of the area's most powerful politicians, wants more freedom to travel without checking with his probation officer.
The government has told the judge no way, because, prosecutors say, Fumo should be treated no differently than any other defendant simply because he owns or controls more homes than the average defendant.
Fumo remains on three years' probation (see related story) after serving his 61-month sentence for his 137-count conviction of multimillion-dollar frauds. In addition to a mansion on Green Street in the Fairmount section of the city, he or others close to him own or control vacation properties at the Jersey shore and a farm in the Harrisburg area.
His attorney petitioned the court last month to allow Fumo to travel throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey -- to his multiple residences, and to build a consulting business -- without prior authorization by his probation officer.
The next move will be up to the judge.
