Vincent Fumo back in federal court for re-sentencing

A thin, bearded Vince Fumo was in court this morning for his re-sentencing hearing before U.S. District Court Judge Ronald Buckwalter.

Fumo, the once-powerful Senator, was sentenced to 55 months in prison in 2009 after being convicted of defrauding the state Senate, a local nonprofit he started and the Independence Seaport Museum. An appeals court recently threw out the sentence, claiming Buckwalter erred during the sentence.

Fumo entered the packed courtroom sporting a green jumpsuit with his hands shackled behind his back. He acknowledged family and friends, but sat still for most of the proceedings except for briefly conferring with his defense attorneys.

Buckwalter heard testimony from John Contino, executive director of the state Ethics Commission, who said that Fumo’s sentence has been largely discussed around the state and could serve as a deterrent for other politicians. He also heard from Dr. John Maneti, regional medical director for the Bureau of Prisons, who discussed the quality of Fumo’s care in prison.

Court resumes at 1:45 p.m. The hearing could continue into tomorrow.