By Associated Press
Montgomery, AL – Former Alabama Governor Don Siegelman said he once had national political ambitions. But after his conviction in a government corruption case and nine months in federal prison, he said he doubts he will ever run again for public office.
Siegelman blames the end of his long, successful political career on Karl Rove. Siegelman has said the former political adviser to President Bush orchestrated his prosecution.
Rove has denied that he had anything to do with directing Siegelman's prosecution.
In an interview on the Web site of the CBS News show ''60 Minutes,'' Siegelman said he did ask former HealthSouth CEO Richard Scrushy to give $500,000 to Siegelman's 1999 lottery campaign. But he said he never offered to give Scrushy a seat on an influential hospital board in exchange for the contribution.
The chief federal prosecutor in Siegelman's case, Louis Franklin, declined to comment on Siegelman's statement.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)