If Governor Siegelman was a Republican, would our President commute his and Mr. Scrushy’s prison sentences?
As the citizens of Alabama celebrated the 4th of July, our Ex-Governor, along with Health South CEO Richard Scrushy, did their best to survive at the federal penitentiary in Atlanta.
To many readers, Siegelman and Scrushy’s sentence to time in jail is just a day’s news. The partisan handling of these men’s trial and sentencing is reason for this 4th of July to be a very sad day!
As a friend of the Siegelman family, I get direct reports on the Governor and Mr. Scrushy’s treatment in prison. On Thursday, June 28, Governor Siegelman was sentenced to 88 months in prison. His co-defendant, Richard Scrushy, was sentenced to 64 months in prison. Upon handing down these sentences, both men were shackled and lead to jail without even allowing Mr. Scrushy to hug his wife and children. They were immediately transported to the federal penitentiary in Atlanta. The only thing that Governor Siegelman was allowed to keep was his wedding ring.
The worse was yet to come. As residents of the penitentiary, the Governor was not allowed a change of clothes, a toothbrush or a bar of soap until Wednesday, July 4th. As for Mr. Scrushy, an asthmatic, he was not allowed to have his asthma medication until Tuesday, July 3rd, even though he had been having attacks. It appears from the way these men are being treated, the prison has instructions to make their lives as miserable as possible.
Is Atlanta Don’s and Richard’s Guantanamo or Abu Ghraib? It may very well be, if all Alabamians fail to speak out. Please call your U. S. Senator and Representative today and ask them to investigate the trial, sentencing, and treatment of Don and Richard.
Governor Don Siegelman has not had a change of clothes since last Thursday night when he arrived at the Atlanta prison.
Yesterday he was finally allowed a bar of soap, until then he was using Comet & Clorox to wash his body.
Richard Scrushy’s Asthma Medication had been withheld until yesterday, also.
The Governor was permitted to buy peanut butter crackers from the commissary yesterday.
He is only allowed 1 hour a day out of the prison cell.
10 days – 2 weeks before appeal bond news.
14 State Attorney Generals have called for congressional investigations into Governor Siegelman’s case.
The NYT reporters are working on another article that promises to be even more explosive.
The Governor’s wife, Lori, is visiting with him today.
Thanks for working so hard to make sure justice is brought in this unjust prosecution, sentencing and imprisonment of our Great Governor Don Siegelman.
No rush to probe claims by Siegelman Wednesday, July 04, 2007
By SEAN REILLY
Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON -- As former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman begins what could be an extended prison stay, supporters are mounting a campaign to portray him as the target of a Bush administration takedown. But that claim is getting a guarded reception from congressional Democrats already exploring alleged politicization of the U.S. Justice Department.
"We are looking at the broader issue of politically motivated prosecutions and obviously that case may fall into that category," Melanie Roussell, spokeswoman for the House Judiciary Committee, said Monday. She declined to comment further.
At the Senate Judiciary Committee, spokeswoman Tracy Schmaler said Tuesday that the panel does not plan to launch an inquiry into the Siegelman case, although it is "considering all relevant information to its ongoing investigation" of the firings of nine U.S. attorneys last year.
Siegelman, a Democrat who served as governor from 1999-2003, remained in a federal penitentiary in Atlanta on Tuesday after being sentenced last week to seven years and four months on a bribery conviction. Throughout his indictment and trial, Siegelman has steadfastly denied any wrongdoing. More recently, he has repeatedly cited a Republican lawyer's affidavit suggesting White House involvement in his prosecution.
Career federal prosecutors have just as strongly disputed any political basis for their investigation. But Siegelman's claim picked up a noteworthy endorsement Saturday when a New York Times editorial called on Congress to probe whether he is a victim of "selective prosecution."
"The idea of federal prosecutors putting someone in jail for partisan gain is shocking," said the newspaper, which is closely read in the nation's capital. "But the United States attorneys scandal has made clear that the Bush Justice Department acts in shocking ways."
This week, Siegelman allies seized on the editorial in calling on top lawmakers to follow through.
"Free Don Siegelman!" Madison County activist Pam Miles wrote in a Tuesday e-mail urging like-minded supporters to contact members of the House and Senate judiciary committees.
Late last week, Miles reported that U.S. Rep. Artur Davis, D-Birmingham, had been told by House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers, D-Mich., that there would be no investigation "at this point in time."
In a Tuesday interview, Davis, a Judiciary Committee member, said it would be unusual for lawmakers to wade into a case still on appeal. But the Siegelman prosecution raises "a lot of troublesome questions," Davis said, adding that he understood that the panel would include it as part of a broader-ranging inquiry into Justice Department activities.
As a possible parallel, Davis and other Democrats have pointed to the prosecution of Georgia Thompson, a former Wisconsin state employee convicted last year of steering a contract to a company that had given money to Gov. Jim Doyle, a Democrat. An appellate court later overturned the conviction, with one judge describing the evidence against Thompson as "beyond thin."
Siegelman supporters were also quick to contrast the treatment meted out to the 61-year-old former governor with President Bush's decision Monday to spare former vice presidential aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby from a 30-month prison sentence for perjury and obstruction of justice.
Libby is still subject to a $250,000 fine and two years probation, but Bush on Tuesday left the door open to a full presidential pardon that would wipe out the conviction as well.
"The message to the public after Libby is if you take a bullet for the vice president, you'll get leniency," said Vince Kilborn, a Mobile lawyer working on Siegelman's appeal.
While only briefly addressing the commutation of Libby's sentence, Alabama Republican Party Chairman Mike Hubbard said in a Tuesday news release that Siegelman's conviction came after a jury trial where his "closest aides and friends" testified against him.
"The only conspiracy that put Don Siegelman in prison is the one he created by accepting bribes for political favors," Hubbard said.
Whatever the merits of Siegelman's claims, the polemics suggest that the political fallout from the U.S. attorneys firings continues to spread.
The Bush administration has denied any impropriety in the dismissals of the nine top federal prosecutors, most of whom were let go after last year's elections. But the precise reasons for their dismissals remain unclear and Democrats have questioned whether some were pushed out for not pursuing vote fraud investigations or other White House political priorities.
The two sides are headed toward a possible courtroom showdown after the administration last week refused to comply with congressional subpoenas for documents and the testimony of two former top White House aides. An administration lawyer cited the president's need to receive "candid and unfettered advice."
Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now keep it up!
4 Comments:
If Governor Siegelman was a Republican, would our President commute his and Mr. Scrushy’s prison sentences?
As the citizens of Alabama celebrated the 4th of July, our Ex-Governor, along with Health South CEO Richard Scrushy, did their best to survive at the federal penitentiary in Atlanta.
To many readers, Siegelman and Scrushy’s sentence to time in jail is just a day’s news. The partisan handling of these men’s trial and sentencing is reason for this 4th of July to be a very sad day!
As a friend of the Siegelman family, I get direct reports on the Governor and Mr. Scrushy’s treatment in prison. On Thursday, June 28, Governor Siegelman was sentenced to 88 months in prison. His co-defendant, Richard Scrushy, was sentenced to 64 months in prison. Upon handing down these sentences, both men were shackled and lead to jail without even allowing Mr. Scrushy to hug his wife and children. They were immediately transported to the federal penitentiary in Atlanta. The only thing that Governor Siegelman was allowed to keep was his wedding ring.
The worse was yet to come. As residents of the penitentiary, the Governor was not allowed a change of clothes, a toothbrush or a bar of soap until Wednesday, July 4th. As for Mr. Scrushy, an asthmatic, he was not allowed to have his asthma medication until Tuesday, July 3rd, even though he had been having attacks. It appears from the way these men are being treated, the prison has instructions to make their lives as miserable as possible.
Is Atlanta Don’s and Richard’s Guantanamo or Abu Ghraib? It may very well be, if all Alabamians fail to speak out. Please call your U. S. Senator and Representative today and ask them to investigate the trial, sentencing, and treatment of Don and Richard.
Bill Webb
Decatur, Alabama
As of 4th of July:
Governor Don Siegelman has not had a change of clothes since last Thursday night when he arrived at the Atlanta prison.
Yesterday he was finally allowed a bar of soap, until then he was using Comet & Clorox to wash his body.
Richard Scrushy’s Asthma Medication had been withheld until yesterday, also.
The Governor was permitted to buy peanut butter crackers from the commissary yesterday.
He is only allowed 1 hour a day out of the prison cell.
10 days – 2 weeks before appeal bond news.
14 State Attorney Generals have called for congressional investigations into Governor Siegelman’s case.
The NYT reporters are working on another article that promises to be even more explosive.
The Governor’s wife, Lori, is visiting with him today.
Thanks for working so hard to make sure justice is brought in this unjust prosecution, sentencing and imprisonment of our Great Governor Don Siegelman.
No rush to probe claims by Siegelman
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
By SEAN REILLY
Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON -- As former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman begins what could be an extended prison stay, supporters are mounting a campaign to portray him as the target of a Bush administration takedown. But that claim is getting a guarded reception from congressional Democrats already exploring alleged politicization of the U.S. Justice Department.
"We are looking at the broader issue of politically motivated prosecutions and obviously that case may fall into that category," Melanie Roussell, spokeswoman for the House Judiciary Committee, said Monday. She declined to comment further.
At the Senate Judiciary Committee, spokeswoman Tracy Schmaler said Tuesday that the panel does not plan to launch an inquiry into the Siegelman case, although it is "considering all relevant information to its ongoing investigation" of the firings of nine U.S. attorneys last year.
Siegelman, a Democrat who served as governor from 1999-2003, remained in a federal penitentiary in Atlanta on Tuesday after being sentenced last week to seven years and four months on a bribery conviction. Throughout his indictment and trial, Siegelman has steadfastly denied any wrongdoing. More recently, he has repeatedly cited a Republican lawyer's affidavit suggesting White House involvement in his prosecution.
Career federal prosecutors have just as strongly disputed any political basis for their investigation. But Siegelman's claim picked up a noteworthy endorsement Saturday when a New York Times editorial called on Congress to probe whether he is a victim of "selective prosecution."
"The idea of federal prosecutors putting someone in jail for partisan gain is shocking," said the newspaper, which is closely read in the nation's capital. "But the United States attorneys scandal has made clear that the Bush Justice Department acts in shocking ways."
This week, Siegelman allies seized on the editorial in calling on top lawmakers to follow through.
"Free Don Siegelman!" Madison County activist Pam Miles wrote in a Tuesday e-mail urging like-minded supporters to contact members of the House and Senate judiciary committees.
Late last week, Miles reported that U.S. Rep. Artur Davis, D-Birmingham, had been told by House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers, D-Mich., that there would be no investigation "at this point in time."
In a Tuesday interview, Davis, a Judiciary Committee member, said it would be unusual for lawmakers to wade into a case still on appeal. But the Siegelman prosecution raises "a lot of troublesome questions," Davis said, adding that he understood that the panel would include it as part of a broader-ranging inquiry into Justice Department activities.
As a possible parallel, Davis and other Democrats have pointed to the prosecution of Georgia Thompson, a former Wisconsin state employee convicted last year of steering a contract to a company that had given money to Gov. Jim Doyle, a Democrat. An appellate court later overturned the conviction, with one judge describing the evidence against Thompson as "beyond thin."
Siegelman supporters were also quick to contrast the treatment meted out to the 61-year-old former governor with President Bush's decision Monday to spare former vice presidential aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby from a 30-month prison sentence for perjury and obstruction of justice.
Libby is still subject to a $250,000 fine and two years probation, but Bush on Tuesday left the door open to a full presidential pardon that would wipe out the conviction as well.
"The message to the public after Libby is if you take a bullet for the vice president, you'll get leniency," said Vince Kilborn, a Mobile lawyer working on Siegelman's appeal.
While only briefly addressing the commutation of Libby's sentence, Alabama Republican Party Chairman Mike Hubbard said in a Tuesday news release that Siegelman's conviction came after a jury trial where his "closest aides and friends" testified against him.
"The only conspiracy that put Don Siegelman in prison is the one he created by accepting bribes for political favors," Hubbard said.
Whatever the merits of Siegelman's claims, the polemics suggest that the political fallout from the U.S. attorneys firings continues to spread.
The Bush administration has denied any impropriety in the dismissals of the nine top federal prosecutors, most of whom were let go after last year's elections. But the precise reasons for their dismissals remain unclear and Democrats have questioned whether some were pushed out for not pursuing vote fraud investigations or other White House political priorities.
The two sides are headed toward a possible courtroom showdown after the administration last week refused to comply with congressional subpoenas for documents and the testimony of two former top White House aides. An administration lawyer cited the president's need to receive "candid and unfettered advice."
http://www.al.com/news/mobileregister/index.ssf?/base/news/1183540863191380.xml&coll=3
Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now keep it up!
Post a Comment
<< Home