By Alabama Public Radio
Montgomery, AL – Attorneys for Paul Hamrick have asked a federal judge to prevent testimony from former landfill developer and lobbyist Lanny Young. Young is prepared to testify he paid Hamrick about 46-thousand dollars when Hamrick was a top aide to former Governor Don Siegelman. Hamrick's defense team says he took no specific official acts in return for the money, and therefore, the payments were not illegal. But prosecutors say Young paid Hamrick 46-thousand dollars in return for helping Young with official state business. Young has pleaded guilty to corruption charges and is a key witness for the government. Hamrick, Siegelman, former Transportation Director Mack Roberts and former HealthSouth C-E-O Richard Scrushy have been indicted on government corruption charges. They have all pleaded not guilty, and their trial is set to begin May first in Montgomery.