By Alabama Public Radio
Birmingham, AL – A lawyer for former HealthSouth C-E-O Richard Scrushy suggested Friday the F-B-I deliberately avoided gathering certain evidence in the case. Attorney Jim Parkman says the evidence could have shown Scrushy did not know about the huge accounting fraud occurring at his company. Parkman asked F-B-I Special Agent Gerry Kelly why he didn't ask an informant to present Scrushy with a fraudulent financial statement and ask him to sign it. Kelly responded that such action wasn't necessary. Scrushy's attorney implied that Scrushy would have signed it because he didn't know about the fraud. The trial is in its 13th week. Friday was the second day of defense testimony.