Former Alabama governor released from prison

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Former Alabama governor Don Siegelman left a federal prison in Louisiana on Wednesday morning, nearing the end of a sentence over his 2006 conviction on bribery and obstruction of justice charges.

Chip Hill, a former aide to and friend of Siegelman’s, said Wednesday the family was informed of his release Wednesday morning. The governor is expected to be on supervised probation for some time. According to the Federal Bureau of Prisons, the governor’s sentence runs through Aug. 8.

“As this dark and difficult time in his life comes to an end, Don Siegelman’s courage and grace and innocence shine through," said Gregory B. Craig, Siegelman's attorney, in a statement. "We are overjoyed at the thought that we will have him back with us again. At a time of such unrest and uncertainty, the world will be a better place with Don Siegelman back in it.”

It is not clear if or when Siegelman will be able to speak publicly after his release. The governor was traveling to Birmingham, Ala., on Wednesday.

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Siegelman, 70, held four major state offices and won a landslide election for governor in 1998; Siegelman’s victory is, to date, the last time the state voted for a Democrat for the state’s highest office.

An effort to establish a state lottery to fund education was defeated by voters in 1999.

Siegelman narrowly lost re-election to Bob Riley in 2002 after a dispute over ballots. He ran again for governor in 2006, but was defeated in the Democratic primary after being indicted on corruption charges.

During the 1999 lottery campaign, then-HeathSouth CEO Richard Scrushy donated a total of $500,000 to the campaign. After the donation, Siegelman appointed Scrushy to a board that oversaw  hospital improvements and expansions.

Prosecutors said the transaction amounted to a bribe. Siegelman’s attorneys, noting Scrushy had served on the board for years, said it was something done in the normal course of politics. The governor argues he has done nothing wrong.

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But both were convicted by a jury in 2006 on corruption charges. Siegelman also was convicted on a separate obstruction of justice charge over a $9,200 payment from a friend and supporter over a motorcycle.

Sentenced — and immediately taken to prison — in 2007, Siegelman won release the following year while his appeal went forward. An appeals court threw out some of his convictions the following year but upheld the others and ordered that he be sentenced again. Siegelman returned to prison in September 2012.

Appeals courts have dismissed arguments that Siegelman was targeted for political reasons. Supporters had hoped for a pardon from then-president Barack Obama, but the application was denied Jan. 19, without a reason.

Scrushy was released from prison in 2010, and relocated to the Houston area.

Follow Brian Lyman on Twitter: @lyman_brian