Fumo Trial Calls Rendell

Governor Ed Rendell took the stand as a defense witness in the four-month corruption trial of former State Senator Vincent Fumo today. Governor Rendell's testimony lasted all of ten minutes. Turning to look directly at the Jury, Rendell spoke about his former rival's work ethic saying, ”His job became his life as it has with me and I have no regrets over that.” He told the jury it would not be unusual to get a call from the senator at 11:30 at night. But on cross examination by Assistant U-S attorney John Pease, the governor acknowledged that even successful, hard-working lawmakers must obey the law saying, “When you're elected as a lawmaker the public expects you to follow the law no matter how hard you work is that correct? No question, there are no exceptions for effectiveness and no exception for people who spend a lot of time on their jobs, the rules are the rules.” Former State Senator Vince Fumo is charged with defrauding the Senate, a charity and a museum of $3.5 million dollars.