Activist collects vacuums to protest Fumo sentence

HARRISBURG - Irked by the 55-month sentence given last week to former State Sen. Vincent J. Fumo on corruption charges, a Harrisburg activist has begun a campaign to collect vacuum cleaners.

Yes, some explanation is in order.

Among the 137 charges leveled at Fumo was that he directed the nonprofit he controlled to buy him 19 Oreck vacuums.

So, in the mind of political gadfly Gene Stilp, whom Ralph Nader once described as the nation's "No. 1 political prop artist," it all presented the perfect opportunity.

Yesterday morning, with the Capitol as a backdrop, Stilp lined up about 30 vacuums - from wet-dry to canister models - and took to a podium that bore this sign:

"Judge Buckwalter: Your Fumo verdict sucks."

U.S. District Judge Ronald L. Buckwalter sentenced Fumo to four years and seven months in prison. He also ordered Fumo to pay about $2.4 million in fines and restitution. Federal prosecutors have said Fumo defrauded victims of $4.2 million.

Prosecutors and many others, including Stilp, founder of Taxpayers and Ratepayers United, have called the sentence extraordinarily lenient.

Stilp urges prosecutors to appeal the sentence. He hopes to collect as many vacuums as he can in two weeks to deliver them to Buckwalter's chambers in Philadelphia. Those who want to donate a used vacuum can call Stilp at 717-829-5600.