Museum board member, curator to testify in Fumo trial

Inquirer staff writer Emilie Lousberry reports:

As the trial of former State Sen. Vincent J. Fumo heads into its ninth week, federal prosecutors are poised to call more witnesses today about two alleged fraud schemes.

Peter McCausland, a board member of the Independence Seaport Museum, and Craig Bruns, a curator, are scheduled to testify as Assistant U.S. Attorneys John J. Pease and Robert A. Zauzmer continue efforts to show that Fumo defrauded the museum by getting free yacht trips.

Pease and Zauzmer also are expected to call an accountant who did work for Citizens' Alliance for Better Neighborhoods, a South Philadelphia nonprofit at the center of the sprawling federal indictment.

Fumo and his co-defendant, Ruth Arnao, the former head of Citizens' Alliance, are accused of getting the nonprofit to pay for about $1.4 million in power tools and household goods.

Contact staff writer Emilie Lounsberry at 215-854-4828 or at elounsberry@phillynews.com.

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