WSFA 12 News Montgomery, AL |US Justice Department opposes Siegelman appeal
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Associated Press - November 16, 2009 2:34 PM ET
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) - The Obama administration is opposing former Gov. Don Siegelman's appeal of his felony corruption conviction before the U.S. Supreme Court.
The Birmingham News reported Monday that the Justice Department has filed papers saying the justices don't need to hear an appeal by Siegelman, a Democrat like the president.
Siegelman and former HealthSouth CEO Richard Scrushy claim their case raises broad questions about how much evidence is needed to prove bribery. But the Justice Department contends the law lets jurors infer criminal conduct even if there was no explicit agreement of a bribery scheme.
Siegelman was convicted swapping $500,000 in donations to a statewide lottery campaign for a seat on a powerful state medical regulatory board.
Information from: The Birmingham News, http://www.al.com/birminghamnews
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