Fumo trial resumes today, former butler to testify

Inquirer staff writer Emilie Lounsberry reports:

After a one-day recess due to an ailing juror, the corruption trial of former State Sen. Vincent J. Fumo is set to resume this morning with more testimony about the alleged fraud on Citizens' Alliance for Better Neighborhoods, a nonprofit backed by Fumo.
There will be more testimony by Ronald Beckman, who was one of the first accountants hired to prepare public-disclosure forms for the nonprofit.
Citizens' Alliance was founded in 1991 by aides to Fumo; it has worked to clean alleys, shovel snow and fix up properties in the Passyunk Avenue area of South Philadelphia.
Prosecutors contend that Fumo and his co-dedefendant, Ruth Arnao, former executive director of Citizens' Alliance, defrauded the nonprofit, misusing its workers and money for their personal benefit.
After Beckman, prosecutors are expected to call Fumo's former English butler to the stand.
Contact staff writer Emilie Lounsberry at 215-854-4828 or at elounsberry@phillynews.com.

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