(former Alabama governor) Siegelman found guilty on 7 of 34 charges

[Syrinx]

A federal jury Thursday found former Gov. Don Sigelman guilty on 7 of 34 counts in a corruption case.

Two of the co-defendants, Paul Hamrick and Mack Roberts, were exonerated of all charges against them.

Former HealthSouth CEO Richard Scrushy was convicted on all six charges against him.

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060629/NEWS/60629020/1001

Siegelman was convicted on bribery, conspiracy, mail fraud charges. Acquitted on the most serious RICO charges.

[CottonBear]

1. Is the former Gov. a Republican? The article doesn't say

so I'm assuming he's a Republican. The corporate media never mentions party affiliation when a Republican is convicted of wrong doing.

[Syrinx]

2. unfortunately, he's a Democrat n/t

[CottonBear]

3. Great. What did he do to get convicted of a crime? n/t

[Syrinx]

4. apparrently...

He took campaign contributions from Richard Scrushy in exchange for a seat on a board that regulates hospitals.

[Syrinx]

5. Why Have Two People Voted This For Greatest?

I don't get it. And it's my post.

If Siegelman was a republican, I'd understand.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

6. This is sad. I knew Don Siegelman. He headed up Jimmy

Carter's campaign in 1976. He was a great guy. Very liberal. Very attractive. Very idealistic. So much promise. Then his wife got hit by a drunk driver in Mobile, Al. A piece of the windshield went into her head and pushed her eye out. He then went on a giant crusade against drunk driving. All he talked about for a very long time. But somehow he managed to become governor when Alabama was still mostly southern democratic. He did good, got a Mercedes plant. But then the tide shifted and Alabama turned bright red.

Alabama must have ruined him. He should have gotten out when he was young.

Another thing, Health South fooled everyone in Birmingham. They were pillars of the community. A national rising star company in a town that didn't have much to brag about.

[Syrinx]

7. I thought he was a pretty good governor

I actually seem to recall that it was Jim Folsom Jr. that was responsible for landing the Mercedes plant. Folsom is running for Lieutenant Governor this year. He will face the winner of the Republican runoff between George Wallace Jr. and lobbyist Luther Strange in November.

By the way, I heard on the radio that one of Siegelman's lawyers was Redding Pitt, father of Will Pitt, and until recently, head of the state Democratic Party.

[Syrinx]

10. Liberals should not "get out when they are young!"

They should stay, and help change things. In fact, we should import liberals!

[Stuckinthebush]

8. I really liked Don, but....

As Democrats we have to say, "You screwed up, Don. We don't tolerate acceptance of bribes for key political positions." Most of the Dems in the State who I know are saying the exact same thing. We voted for Lucy Baxley over Don in the primaries this time just because most of us saw that Don was involved in some nasty stuff with a VERY nasty man...Richard Scrushy. Don should do his time, and pay his fine.

Now, the beautiful part of this is that Richard Scrushy was also found guilty on three charges. That jerk who bought off a jury in his Health South trial may finally get punished for some of his wrongdoings. While the cynical bastard won't rot in jail over this, he will do some time and he is, as a Birmingham News reported said the other day, "radioactive". His newest sick scheme to make money is to start an evangelical ministry. If there is a hell, it is people like Richard Scrushy who deserve to be there.

[Syrinx]

9. I pretty much agree with you

Though I really haven't followed the trial very closely. I wonder if there was really evidence of quid pro quo? Like Don said, a lot of campaign contributors get appointed to government positions.

Where have you been Stuckinthebush? Looks like you've been here longer than I have, and I didn't realize you were in Alabama.

[Stuckinthebush]

11. Been around...here and there

I've been on DU since March of 2000, but my posting has declined over the past few years.

I think I'm just tired. Tired of this administration and tired of the non-critical thinkers who live in this country. I used to work with Alabama politics and gave up on them years ago. I am still involved enough to keep up with some insiders, but it is disappointing that even the Alabama Dems are so conservative (have to be).

I need to get involved more with the local Over the Mountain Democrats, and perhaps that will lift my spirits somewhat!

For now, I'll just go down to Five Points with a protest poster every now and then and try to make my tiny voice heard!