Montgomery – A federal appeal court's view of former HealthSouth CEO Richard Scrushy as a potential flight risk stems from a Florida yacht trip last year. The trip set off alarms with prosecutors but Scrushy described it as a misunderstanding.
The errant yacht trip had harsh consequences for Scrushy, ruling out his release from prison on appeal bond. But it may offer a glimmer of hope to former Governor Don Siegelman, also seeking release while his appeal is pending.
University of Alabama political scientist William Stewart has followed the Siegelman and Scrushy case closely. He said today the ruling by two judges on the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals puts a separate ruling on Siegelman in a new light.
U.S. District Judge Mark Fuller in a filing last week explained why he did not allow Siegelman to go free on appeal bond. He specifically said Siegelman had proven he is not a flight risk. Fuller has held that Scrushy might flee, citing the yacht trip.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)