U.S.: 165 names on Fumo witness list

Federal prosecutors yesterday filed a list of 165 potential witnesses against state Sen. Vince Fumo, including the names of politically connected Philadelphians, Fumo staffers, friends and members of his inner circle.

Prosecutors said yesterday that it was likely that only about 100 witnesses on the list would actually testify at Fumo's corruption trial, which begins next month.

At least 20 of the potential witnesses appear to be current or former employees or consultants to the Senate Appropriations Committee, on which Fumo has been chairman or ranking minority member since 1985.

Fumo's defense lawyer, Dennis J. Cogan, declined to comment on the feds' witness list. He said that he would make Fumo's witness list public on Monday.

The powerful South Philadelphia lawmaker, who did not seek re-election this year, was charged in February 2007 with defrauding the state Senate and two nonprofits, and of trying to thwart an FBI and IRS investigation.

Prosecutors also filed an updated exhibit list in the case that includes new photographs, summary charts and e-mails.

Many of the new e-mails refer to campaign work that one-time Fumo insider Howard Cain performed while allegedly being paid with state money.

Cain pleaded guilty in June to tax evasion and agreed to testify against Fumo. As part of his plea, Cain admitted that he conspired with Fumo and others to defraud the state Senate by submitting false invoices that resulted in payments to Cain for engaging in political work in violation of state law.

In addition to Cain, among the names on the government's witness list are:

* John Contino, executive director, State Ethics Commission;

* Christopher Craig, a longtime legislative aide and lawyer in Fumo's Harrisburg office;

* Walter D'Alessio, former chairman of the board of the Independence Seaport Musuem, one of the nonprofits Fumo is alleged to have bilked;

* Frank DiCicco, Philadelphia City Councilman and Fumo ally;

* W. Russell Faber, Clerk of the state Senate;

* Robert Jubelirer, former President Pro Tempore of the state Senate and political rival of Fumo;

* Christian Marrone, the senator's son-in-law and former staffer;

* Peter McCausland, chairman & CEO of Airgas Inc. and current chairman of the board of Independence Seaport Museum;

* Al Mezzaroba, outgoing CEO of the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority;

* Robert Scandone, prominent lawyer and friend of Fumo;

* Ken Snyder, a paid spokesman for Fumo;

* State Sen. Michael Stack, a Fumo ally;

* Frank Wallace, a private investigator whom Fumo allegedly paid with state money to spy on his ex-wife, ex-girlfriends and electricians union leader John Dougherty;

* Daniel Whelan, former CEO of Verizon Pennsylvania;

* William Winning, prominent lawyer at Cozen O'Connor; and

* Steve Wojdak, a top Harrisburg lobbyist. *

Staff writer Bob Warner contributed to this report.