Fumo trial begins with 220 potential jurors

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - September 8, 2008 Courtroom staff are beginning with 220 potential jurors and trying to whittle them down to a pool of about 45 by Wednesday.

The potential jurors are answering questions from a 24-page questionnaire. It notes that the trial is expected to last as long as three months.

The 65-year-old Fumo is charged with misusing nearly $2 million from the state Senate, $1.4 million from a local nonprofit and $100,000 from a museum. Prosecutors say the Philadelphia Democrat used little of his own money for yachting vacations, lavish spending on his 33-room mansion and hiring operatives to spy on ex-wives and political foes.

Fumo says he did nothing illegal.

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