By Associated Press
Montgomery, AL – Two men once considered the brightest stars of Alabama's political and business worlds will face a federal judge Tuesday who could order them to prison for much of the rest of their lives.
Former Governor Don Siegelman and former HealthSouth C-E-O Richard Scrushy will ask Federal Judge Mark Fuller to take into consideration their years of public service, allow them to stay out of prison and serve any punishment on probation.
But prosecutors say they will ask Fuller to send a message that government corruption won't be tolerated and order Siegelman to federal prison for 30 years, Scrushy for 25 years and order both men to pay (m) millions of dollars in fines.
Both Siegelman and Scrushy have said that regardless of the sentence, they plan to appeal their convictions to the 11th U-S Circuit Court of Appeals.
Attorneys say the hearing could last for several days as Siegelman and Scrushy present witnesses who will testify about their character and good deeds. Prosecutors say they will try to highlight the damage caused to the state by their actions.
Prosecutors also said they will ask Fuller to send Siegelman and Scrushy to prison right away.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)