Everyone’s Defrauding The Seaport Museum Nowadays

Vince Fumo, who fired the first shot yesterday, was officially indicted on 139 counts this morning.

With 139 counts, it’s going to take a little time to get through the entire thing. (For the comedy, people. I do this for you.) But the Inquirer’s John Shiffman is already all over it, detailing a few of the more awesome charges. On the whole, Fumo is alleged to have used Senate staff for personal use (is there anyone that doesn’t do this?), defrauded a multimillion dollar charity, etc. The charges are conspiracy, fraud, obstruction of justice and filing false tax returns.

But here are the best allegations so far:

• Citizens Alliance for Better Neighborhoods — the charity Fumo created — paid for Fumo’s trips to Cuba.
• He defrauded the Independence Seaport Museum, which is a popular thing to do.
• Fumo used Citizens Alliance to form an astroturf group down the shore to block a dune replenishment program that would obscure his view.
• Used Senate funds to spy on his ex-wife, political rivals, girlfriends, etc.

I think the first one’s the best. (Well, the second one is wild because who knew the Seaport Museum had enough money for two people allegedly defraud it, too.) The idea of a state senator having his charity pay for his trips to Cuba is too awesome. Can we get Fidel Castro involved somehow, too? That’d be awesome.

Fumo Indicted on 139 Counts [AP/6 ABC]
Grand jury indicts Fumo [Inquirer]
Yesterday: Fumo Delivers Pre-Emptive Defense
Archives: Independence Seaport Museum