Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Hissyspit

(45,788 posts)
Wed Aug 1, 2012, 10:36 PM Aug 2012

Siegelman Lawyer Asks for Leniency in New Sentence

Source: Associated Press

Siegelman lawyer asks for leniency in new sentence
BOB JOHNSON, Associated Press
Updated 04:30 p.m., Wednesday, August 1, 2012

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — An attorney for former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman has asked a federal judge not to send Siegelman back to prison on Friday, though Siegelman has written supporters to say he may be returning there for a lengthy stay.

U.S. District Judge Mark Fuller originally sentenced Siegelman to more than seven years in prison for his 2006 conviction for bribery and other charges in a government corruption case.

Fuller is resentencing Siegelman because a federal appeals court dropped two of the charges.

Siegelman and former HealthSouth CEO Richard Scrushy were convicted of what prosecutors said was a scheme for Siegelman to appoint Scrushy to an important hospital regulatory board in exchange for Scrushy arranging $500,000 in contributions to Siegelman's campaign for a statewide lottery for education.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Siegelman-lawyer-asks-for-leniency-in-new-sentence-3755128.php

18 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies

JDPriestly

(57,936 posts)
3. It's a travesty of justice.
Thu Aug 2, 2012, 01:01 AM
Aug 2012

And George W. Bush plus how many bankers and mortgaged fraudsters continue to enjoy their lives without having to face a jury. No justice at all.

"I have lost my livelihood, most of my assets and my freedom," Siegelman says in the email. "I am now a 'felon' and have lost my right to vote and run for public office," said the former governor, who'd also served as secretary of state, attorney general and lieutenant governor.

http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Siegelman-lawyer-asks-for-leniency-in-new-sentence-3755128.phpews/article/Siegelman-lawyer-asks-for-leniency-in-new-sentence-3755128.php

The Wizard

(12,545 posts)
4. All for being a threat
Thu Aug 2, 2012, 02:56 AM
Aug 2012

to the Rove agenda. Karl Rove is the most dangerous man in American and belongs on a scaffold for treason.

Festivito

(13,452 posts)
5. Even CBS's 60 Minutes had its plug pulled around this story.
Thu Aug 2, 2012, 06:52 AM
Aug 2012

This story shows us bald faced corruption that undermines our America.

Festivito

(13,452 posts)
14. Years ago. Whole state went blank for entire 20 minutes, not even a please stand by.
Fri Aug 3, 2012, 12:18 AM
Aug 2012

The history is so maddening.

trof

(54,256 posts)
6. Siegelman's 'farewell' email:
Thu Aug 2, 2012, 09:47 AM
Aug 2012

I received this a couple of days ago and posted it in GD.
Many supportive responses.

Dear trof,

This may be my last chance to email you for some time. I am going back before U.S. District Court Judge Mark Fuller to be re-sentenced this Friday, August the 3rd at 9:00 AM (CST) at the federal courthouse in Montgomery.

Your friendship and support throughout this incredibly long, painful, and costly ordeal has meant so much to my family and me.

This battle for justice within the court system comes to a close. The U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear my last appeal even though 113 former state Attorneys General and many of the nation's top Constitutional Law Professors joined in my appeal saying that the law is so unclear that any contributor and candidate is "at risk of being indicted and convicted..."

I served nine awful months in federal prison, thirty days in total isolation in solitary confinement, three weeks in a maximum-security prison side-by-side with hardened criminals. Every step of this fight for justice over the past nine years has been devastating to my family and me.

I have lost my livelihood, most of my assets, and my freedom.

I am now a “felon” and have lost my right to vote and run for public office. I can no longer practice law. Regardless, I remain committed to our system of justice; flawed though it may be, it is still one of the best. It is up to us to make it better.

Thank you for your encouragement, which keeps my spirit strong. Please continue to keep in touch with my family as this journey for justice continues.

May God bless you and your family.

Sincerely,
Don

SpankMe

(2,957 posts)
7. Why can't Obama pardon Siegelman now?
Thu Aug 2, 2012, 10:28 AM
Aug 2012

It's low risk. Favoring gay marriage was mush more risky. The facts and history on Siegelman are clear and the public would be sympathetic if the story was told correctly.

Something is dreadfully wrong with the Siegelman issue. There's something we don't know.

 

DCKit

(18,541 posts)
11. Has to wait until after the election.
Thu Aug 2, 2012, 02:31 PM
Aug 2012

Then, I want to see a full investigation. They went too far.

midnight

(26,624 posts)
12. If you are right.... And this is better than letting this man sit in jail for any longer than that.
Thu Aug 2, 2012, 06:41 PM
Aug 2012

But investigating this would be tantamount to opening the real books at the Federal Reserve.... I just don't see it happening...

blackspade

(10,056 posts)
8. What the hell?
Thu Aug 2, 2012, 11:00 AM
Aug 2012

It's been 7 years since he was convicted.
Why is he not walking with time served?

Answer: If he is out of prison, he is free to talk about his case and reveal the deep corruption of out judicial system.
I would not be surprised if when he does get out, he is put under a gag order.

On edit:

I don't get this: He said the hearing will be limited to determining "a reasonable sentence" for Siegelmen, as well as the former governor's ability to pay for his incarceration and to "addressing any arguments not previously raised during Siegelman's first sentencing hearing."

Since when are we requiring that convicts pay for their incarceration?

midnight

(26,624 posts)
10. There is something really strange about our justice system.... They make stuff up as they go along.
Thu Aug 2, 2012, 12:55 PM
Aug 2012

Freddie Stubbs

(29,853 posts)
16. He has been walking free. For the past four years:
Fri Aug 3, 2012, 11:38 AM
Aug 2012
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Siegelman#Release_from_federal_prison

There has been no gag order prohibiting him talking and revealing the any corruption of out judicial system.
Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»Siegelman Lawyer Asks for...