Siegelman Seeks Reprieve

Former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman is preparing to argue why his 2006 conviction on corruption charges should be overturned.

The cases of Siegelman and HealthSouth Corp. founder Richard Scrushy will be heard by the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in December.

The two men were prosecuted together in a case that centered around donations Scrushy made to Siegelman’s failed 1999 campaign to institute a state lottery, and the governor’s appointment of Scrushy to a state board that approved the construction of medical facilities.

Before the appeals court, their lawyers will argue that prosecutors mistook legal campaign contributions for bribes.

Siegelman, who was convicted of bribery, conspiracy, and mail fraud, was sentenced to seven years in prison and ordered to pay restitution and fines totaling $231,325. Scrushy was sentenced to six years in prison, and to pay $417,000 in restitution and fines.

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