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HealthSouth Boss Gets 7 Years for Bribery

Same stretch for Alabama governor

By Colleen Barry, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 29, 2007 4:15 AM CDT

(Newser) – Richard Scrushy, the former CEO of HealthSouth, was sentenced to almost 7 years in prison for giving the governor of Alabama $500,000 in exchange for a seat on the state hospital regulatory board, the Wall Street Journal reports. Former governor Don Siegelman was sentenced to over 7 years, and both men must pay restitution.

Siegelman and Scrushy, who both plan to appeal, claim the donations were simply campaign contributions with no strings attached. Scrushy had been tried for a $2.7 billion accounting fraud at the company in 2005; when he was acquitted, prosecutors hit him with bribery charges.

Former Alabama first lady Lori Siegelman leaves the federal courthouse in Montgomery, Ala., after her husband was sentenced. (Associated Press)

Former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman, left, and former HealthSouth CEO Richard Scrushy, seen in separate photos, arrive at the federal courthouse in Montgomery, Ala., Thursday, June 28, 2007. Siegelman was... (Associated Press)

Reporters pursue Lori Siegelman after she departed the federal courthouse in Montgomery, Ala., after her husband, former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman, was sentenced to more than seven years in prison, Thursday,... (Associated Press)

Former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman talks with reporters after leaving the federal courthouse in Montgomery, Ala., Wednesday, June 27, 2007. Siegelman was sentenced to more than seven years in federal... (Associated Press)

Former HealthSouth CEO Richard Scrushy arrives at the federal courthouse in Montgomery, Ala., Thursday, June 28, 2007, for the sentencing phase of his federal corruption trial. Scrushy was sentenced to... (Associated Press)

Former HealthSouth CEO Richard Scrushy departs the Federal Courthouse in Montgomery, Ala., with his wife Leslie during a lunch break on Thursday, June 28, 2007. Scrushy is in the sentencing phase of his... (Associated Press)

Former HealthSouth CEO Richard Scrushy, left, and his wife, Leslie, depart the Federal Courthouse in Montgomery, Ala., during a lunch break Wednesday, June 27, 2007. Wednesday is the second day of the... (Associated Press)

Former HealthSouth CEO Richard Scrushy prays with members of his family before entering federal court for the sentencing phase of his federal corruption trial, Tuesday, June 26, 2007, in Montgomery, ... (Associated Press)

Former HealthSouth CEO Richard Scrushy, center, talks with the media before entering federal court for the sentencing phase of his federal corruption trial, Tuesday, June 26, 2007, in Montgomery, Ala.... (Associated Press)

Federal prosecutors Louis Franklin, left, and Steve Feaga discuss the sentences handed down to former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman and former HealthSouth CEO Richard Scrushy in Montgomery, Ala., Thursday,... (Associated Press)

Former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman, left, and former HealthSouth CEO Richard Scrushy arrive at the Federal Courthouse in Montgomery, Ala., Thursday, June 28, 2007. Siegelman was sentenced to more than... (Associated Press)

Former Alabama first lady Lori Siegelman, right, walks with a friend as she leaves the federal courthouse in Montgomery, Ala., after her husband, former Gov. Don Siegelman, was sentenced Thursday, June... (Associated Press)

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HealthSouth Boss Gets 7 Years for Bribery

Same stretch for Alabama governor

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Conman resigned to life in prison

Dead Bride Pic Shown in 'Honeymoon Killer' Trial

Shows Tina Watson sinking near her husband

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She finally cuts it off after 52 years to reconcile with surviving son

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Lyralisa Stevens sues for surgery to move to safer women's prison

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HealthSouth Boss Gets 7 Years for Bribery

Same stretch for Alabama governor

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

fraud • prison • crime • Richard M. Scrushy • Don Siegelman • HealthSouth • Alabama

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Jailed Financier Stanford Wants Cell With Better A/C

Alleged fraudster files a motion to move to cushier Houston jail

Madoff Won't Appeal

Conman resigned to life in prison

Dead Bride Pic Shown in 'Honeymoon Killer' Trial

Shows Tina Watson sinking near her husband

Ruth Madoff Dumping Bernie

She finally cuts it off after 52 years to reconcile with surviving son

Inmate Demands California Pay for Sex Change

Lyralisa Stevens sues for surgery to move to safer women's prison

About Us

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Newser By Users

Community

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What is Newser?