According to a political insider, business manager of IBEW Union Local 98 John Dougherty is in the process of petition-filing for a possible state Senate bid against serial ally/rival Vince Fumo.

The source says that Dougherty, a lifelong District 1 resident, has warmed to the idea after some careful thought and the urging of Democratic insiders. The way the race is shaping up, Dougherty will consider a calculated roundhouse swipe at a wobbly Fumo and his 30-year senatorial stronghold — possibly keeping Fumo from running just to win the primary, then backing out and handpicking his successor. (more…)

Talking Points Memo, a popular political blog, has released its first annual Golden Duke nominees — awards given in various categories to numerous political figures that TPM claims are “crooks, scoundrels, and bamboozlers” — and state Sen. Vince Fumo made the list. Fumo’s nod came in the best “Local Scandal” category, thanks to a corruption scandal that resulted in a 139-count indictment for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, mail fraud, etc.

Winners of the categories will be announced December 31st. Congratulations, Senator, for this most prestigiously dubious achievement.

It’s not an honor just to be nominated [Young Philly Politics]
Dukey Nominees Announced [TPM]

Yesterday morning, embattled state Sen. Vince Fumo’s Green Street mansion went on the market, via Prudential Fox & Roach, with a list price of $6.995 million. (Fumo will reportedly use the money from the sale to pay the mounting legal fees stemming from his federal indictment.) Unfortunately, real estate porn enthusiasts who want a Cribs-style view of the castle will have to wait.

Fumo’s realtor, Joanne Davidow, says no definite time for the photos to be taken has been scheduled, but she’s bringing in a special photographer to do both interior and exterior shots. Davidow says she’s hopeful that it could all be completed by next week, but she still needs to get permission from the Senator as to which rooms can be photographed — and which ones can’t.

Green Street Mansion [Prudential Fox and Roach]
Will $7 Million be Enough to Cover Fumo’s Legal Fees? [Daily Examiner]
Fumo Puts Mansion Up For Sale [Daily News]

Word is that’s going to be the asking price for Vince Fumo’s legendary four-story, 29-room, 19,000-square-foot, gold-ceilinged 2220 Green Street monstrosity when superagent Joanne Davidow lists it tomorrow. (Do homebuyers become accessories to sleaze at the time of settlement?)

Hopefully the listing will actually show a picture of the place, so we don’t have to keep resorting to these shady, hide-from-the-goon photos that seem to be the only ones available.

Fumo Still a Force [DN]
For Sale! The Fumo Mansion [Philebrity]
Castle Fumo [CP]

According to updated reports, state Sen. Vince Fumo was the one who pulled the plug on Sprague & Sprague representing him in his hefty indictment case, rather than the other way around. As a result, on Friday Judge William Yohn will most likely give Fumo a short timetable for finding another powerhouse defense attorney.

Problem is, according to Fumo spokesman Gary Tuma, that’s not going to be easy: “A lot of the good attorneys are already involved in cases,” he tells the Daily Examiner.

Parroting what he told the Inquirer, Tuma says Fumo ditched his buddy Sprague with reluctance — especially considering that it was just three weeks ago he lobbied so hard to have Sprague on board. Tuma says there are still a lot of questions about how the process of finding an attorney will be handled, such as whether Fumo’s independent attorney, Glenn Zeitz, will play a part in the selection.

After asked what sort of attorney Fumo is looking for at this point, Tuma was blunt: “I don’t know.”

Sprague Will Not Defend Fumo [Philly.com]

PHOTO: Philadelphia Daily News

Indicted state senator Vince Fumo took some time out from worrying about possible impending jaildom by braving the crowds at that terribly disappointing GreenFest event that snaked along South Street yesterday. (Disappointing as street fairs go, that is. Not a funnel cake for miles.) Fumo was spied at the So Re La Fashion show kissing a mysterious lady and being thoroughly uninterested in the whole affair throughout.

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