Fumo trial delayed by juror's illness

The trial of former State Sen. Vincent J. Fumo was recessed yesterday because of the illness of an alternate juror. Testimony is set to resume this morning in U.S. District Court.

U.S. District Judge Ronald L. Buckwalter canceled the morning session while the juror went to see a physician. The juror later reported that she would be well enough to attend court today, prompting the judge to send the jury and all participants home yesterday.

There are only three alternate jurors in the trial, which is expected to last at least through January, so there was concern about proceeding with only two alternates with so many weeks to go.

Fumo, 65, a longtime powerful Democrat in Harrisburg and Philadelphia whose last day in the Senate was Nov. 30, is charged in a sweeping corruption indictment with 139 counts of fraud, conspiracy, tax violations and obstructing justice.

His co-defendant, Ruth Arnao, a longtime Fumo ally who formerly ran the nonprofit Citizens' Alliance for Better Neighborhoods, is charged with 45 counts.