Originally Posted - June 30, 2006

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WASHINGTON---Former Alabama Governor Don Eugene Siegelman and former HealthSouth Chief Executive Officer Richard Scrushy have been convicted of conspiracy, bribery and fraud following a jury trial in Montgomery, Ala.

Siegelman, 60, was convicted on seven of the 33 counts against him including one count of bribery, one count of conspiracy to commit honest services mail fraud, four counts of honest services mail fraud and one count of obstruction of justice. Siegelman was acquitted on charges of racketeering, honest services wire fraud, extortion, obstruction of justice, and 16 counts of honest services mail fraud.

Scrushy, 53, was convicted on all of the six counts with which he was charged which were one count of bribery, one count of conspiracy to commit honest services mail fraud, and four counts of honest services mail fraud. Siegelman's former Chief of Staff Paul Hamrick and his former Highway Director Gary "Mac" Roberts were acquitted on all charges.

Maximum penalties for the charges are conspiracy to commit honest services mail fraud, 5 years in prison; bribery, 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine; honest services mail fraud, 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine; obstruction of justice, 10 years in prison.

Siegelman was convicted of mail fraud arising from a pay-for-play scheme in which he exchanged official acts and influence for cash, property, and services from Alabama businessman and consultant Clayton "Lanny" Young. The jury found that Siegelman took thousands of dollars in bribes from Young to aid Young's business interests, including the awarding of contracts to companies controlled by Young. The jury also found Siegelman and Scrushy guilty of crimes arising from a bribery scheme in which Scrushy paid Siegelman $500,000 in laundered funds to obtain a seat on a state regulatory board governing HealthSouth. 6-30-06

© 2006 North Country Gazette