By Alabama Public Radio
Montgomery, AL – There's some new information about the upcoming government corruption trial of former Governor Don Siegelman and former HealthSouth C-E-O Richard Scrushy. The judge handling the case has unsealed grand jury records from August 2004. A former HealthSouth executive testified that Scrushy threatened to fire HealthSouth's investment banking firm if it didn't contribute to Siegelman's campaign for a state lottery. Former HealthSouth Chief Financial Officer Mike Martin also said Scrushy pushed for the 250-thousand dollar donation. Prosecutors say the money was intended to buy political influence with the Siegelman administration. Both Siegelman and Scrushy deny the charges. Their trial is scheduled for May first in Montgomery.