Only about a month before Pennsylvania state senator Vincent Fumo is to go to trial on federal fraud, obstruction of justice, and tax evasion charges, an aide to the embattled lawmaker has pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate with federal authorities in the case against Fumo.

Leonard Luchko, 52, of Collingdale, Pa., has pleaded guilty to 29 counts of conspiracy and obstruction of justice. He has admitted to a systematic and exhaustive effort to delete years’ worth of e-mails and other electronic evidence.

That evidence had been sought by the FBI as part of its federal corruption probe.

Federal prosecutor John Pease outlined the case against Luchko in court:

“Luchko engaged with others including co-defendants Fumo, Arnao, and Mark Eister, in a conspiracy to obstuct the government’s investigation. Mr. Luchko did so for no personal benefit of his own, other than maintaining his own employment. He acted at all times at the direction of Senator Fumo, for the purpose of protecting Senator Fumo and some of Senator Fumo’s associates.”
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