A federal judge today agreed to allow lawyer Richard A. Sprague to withdraw from the fraud and obstruction of justice case against state Sen. Vincent J. Fumo, but urged Fumo to find a lawyer soon, hopefully within a week.

During a brief but tense hearing in federal court, Fumo (D., Phila.) testified that he now believes it is in his best interests to find a new lawyer because Sprague’s firm has conflicts of interests that could hinder his defense.

The senator, who said afterward that he felt nervous taking the witness stand, testified that he is still searching for a new lawyer in Philadelphia, New York and Washington. Source Link