CBS' "60 Minutes" took a look at former governor Don Siegelman's corruption trial in a segment Sunday night, and the program raised some interesting questions. But we're not sure it will change anything for Siegelman, who sits in jail after being convicted of six bribery-related charges and one count of obstruction of justice.
The theory behind the federal government's case was, of course, that Siegelman gave disgraced ex-HealthSouth CEO Richard Scrushy a seat on an influential hospital board in exchange for a $50,000 contribution to Siegelman's lottery campaign. The evidence was tenuous at best, but it was enough for juries to convict both Siegelman and Scrushy.
The problem, as alleged by "60 Minutes," is that prosecutors were so frustrated by inconsistencies with their star witness, Siegelman's former aid Nick Bailey, they forced him to write out his testimony several times. These notes, which were never turned over to the defense, could have helped prove Bailey's deficit of credibility and the government's lack of a case in general.
While we're not quite ready to accept any conspiracy theory, the trial did always have a certain air of shadiness. The feds had tried to get Siegelman and Scrushy before, but nothing worked until Bailey turned. It's been shown that the Justice Department has been a political weapon at times during the Bush administration, so nothing is outside of the realm of possibility.
Still, Siegelman has some responsibility for his fate, regardless of any possible federal impropriety. It was Siegelman that played fast and loose with ethical rules beyond his possible connection with Scrushy. While these latest claims should be fully investigated, we have very little sympathy for a man who made a policy of playing around the edges while governor.
It was sad to hear, though, how Siegelman watched the "60 Minutes" segment. According to The Associated Press, Siegelman gave canned fish to other inmates so he could get the chance to watch television.
May the state of Alabama never have another governor in prison.
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