Ex-Ala. governor, CEO sentenced for bribery

updated 10:36 p.m. ET June 28, 2007

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman was sentenced to more than seven years in federal prison and former HealthSouth CEO Richard Scrushy got nearly seven years Thursday in a bribery and corruption case that the judge said damaged public trust in state government.

Supporters of both men had testified at their sentencing hearing, describing the positive impact they have had in Alabama during their careers, as attorneys pleaded with U.S. District Judge Mark Fuller to show mercy.

“While it is true the good far exceeds the bad, I must impose a fair punishment to reassure all that come before this court that justice is blind,” Fuller said in sentencing Siegelman.

Both men were immediately taken into custody after the judge denied defense requests to let them remain free while they appeal.

The two once-prominent figures in politics and business were escorted out of the courtroom by U.S. marshals and were not allowed to talk to family members. Scrushy’s family cried quietly in the courtroom. Siegelman’s wife, Lori, left immediately.

Asked by reporters about her husband’s sentence and being immediately taken into custody, she said, “I expected it.” She got into her car without further comment.

Siegelman was fined $50,000 due immediately and ordered to pay $181,325 in restitution to a state agency where prosecutors said kickbacks were made. He is to perform 500 hours of community service when his sentence of seven years, four months is completed.

Scrushy was fined $150,000 due immediately, plus ordered to pay restitution of $267,000 to United Way of Central Alabama. He also was ordered to perform 500 hours of community service after serving six years and 10 months in prison.

Both are to be on supervised release for three years when their terms end.

'Send the message'
Fuller had increased the possible sentence range for Siegelman to more than 15 years earlier Thursday and left Scrushy’s possible range at eight to 10 years. But he was not bound by the guidelines. Prosecutors asked for 30 years for Siegelman and 25 for Scrushy, while the defense pleaded for probation for both.

Siegelman, 61, and Scrushy, 54, were convicted last year of bribery, conspiracy and mail fraud. The government accused Siegelman of naming Scrushy to a hospital regulatory board in exchange for $500,000 in donations to Siegelman’s 1999 campaign for a state lottery for education. The defense contended there was no quid-pro-quo or personal benefit.

Siegelman also was convicted of obstruction of justice for trying to hide money given by a lobbyist for a motorcycle. The defense contends it was a legitimate transaction and not as depicted by prosecutors.

Prosecutor Joseph Fitzpatrick urged Fuller to hand down a stiff punishment.

“It will send the message that if these people can be sent to prison, it certainly can happen to a local politician,” he said.

Siegelman wiped at tears as he asked the judge for mercy, apologizing to the people of Alabama but denying he took a bribe from Scrushy.

“Your honor, I am not a perfect person, but I am a good person. I have made mistakes. I have done some stupid things and some dumb things,” he said. “Judge, you can decide whether I die in prison or go home to my family. Your honor, I ask you for mercy. I ask you to send me home.”

MORE FROM POLITICS

Politics Section Front

Obama pledges aid to Afghanistan McCain spends aggressively ahead of cap Idea of gas-tax holiday dies quick death Gore pushes clean energy at Netroots NYT: Rivals McCain, Romney make up Iraq pact could complicate campaigns McCain raises more than $21 million in June Obama going abroad with world watching Obama's trip: sign of new era in diplomacy? Newsweek: Obama's global leadership challenge Politics Section Front   Add Politics headlines to your news reader: