Rendell to Take Stand at Fumo's Trial

Payback could be a b*%&h.  At least, that might be how Vince Fumo would characterize it.

Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell is expected to testify Monday at the federal corruption trial of the former state senator.  And while both are Philadelphia Democrats, they are not considered close political allies -- despite Rendell's endorsement of Fumo last year for another term.

Fumo secretly paid for attack ads against Rendell in the 2002 gubernatorial primary, and used a state-paid private investigator to spy on construction of Rendell's Jersey Shore home, according to Philly.com.

In one e-mail introduced into evidence at trial, Fumo advocated making a point about Rendell's possible use of nonunion labor to build that vacation home -- after acknowledging that the complaints were "all bull-."

Rendell will take the stand for Fumo's defense team.  The defense has not said what it plans to ask him.

Fumo is accused of misusing millions of dollars that belonged to the state, a maritime museum and a nonprofit community group.

He was long one of the Legislature's most powerful figures before deciding not to seek re-election last year.

Copyright Associated Press / NBC 10 Philadelphia

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