By Associated Press
Birmingham, AL – An Alabama lawyer says former governor Don Siegelman conceded the disputed 2002 election after Republicans promised to end a federal investigation of his administration.
The Birmingham News reported Tuesday that Rainsville attorney Jill Simpson made the claim when she testified before lawyers with the House Judiciary Committee last month. She told them she learned the motive behind Siegelman's decision from Rob Riley, the son of Governor Bob Riley.
Simpson previously claimed in a sworn statement that Siegelman gave up his challenge of the '02 election out of fear someone would reveal that one of his supporters planted pro-Bob Riley signs at a Ku Klux Klan rally in north Alabama.
She mentioned the Klan rally again to congressional attorneys and added that Republicans also agreed to end the federal probe, a far more serious allegation.
Rob Riley did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment on Simpson's claims.
An attorney for Simpson, Priscilla Black Duncan, today denied that Simpson had changed her story. Duncan said Simpson only told congressional investigators what others had told her.
Siegelman is in federal prison for his conviction in an influence-peddling scheme with former HealthSouth Corp. chief executive Richard Scrushy.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)