Siegelman: Justice misconduct in my case 'dwarfs' Stevens' trial Rachel Oswald

Published: Thursday April 2, 2009





Print This Email This With the Department of Justice's decision to dismiss ex-Sen. Ted Stevens' corruption conviction on account of prosecutorial misconduct, another apparent victim of Bush-era DOJ wrongdoing, convicted former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman, is hoping that Attorney General Eric Holder will turn to his own case for review.



In an interview with TPMmuckraker Wednesday evening, Siegelman said, "There seems to be substantial evidence of prosecutorial and other misconduct in my case, that would dwarf the allegations in the Stevens case."



Holder made the decision to dismiss Stevens' October conviction for failing to disclose $250,000 in gifts from an oil executive and others on Tuesday in light of a failure on the part of the prosecution to disclose all of its evidence to the defense.



"After careful review, I have concluded that certain information should have been provided to the defense for use at trial," said Holder in a released statement Wednesday. "In light of this conclusion, and in consideration of the totality of the circumstances of this particular case, I have determined that it is in the interest of justice to dismiss the indictment and not proceed with a new trial."



In a released statement, Stevens said, "I always knew that there would be a day when the cloud that surrounded me would be removed. That day has finally come."



Siegelman said he supports Holder's decision but added, "I hope that [Holder] will take a look at some of the other cases that are buried on his desk."



Among the allegations of prosecutorial misconduct in the Siegelman case was the continued legal advising of a Bush DOJ political appointee to her subordinates handling the case after she recused herself from involvement with the prosecution. At the time her husband was campaigning in support of a Republican opponent of Siegelman's.



As Raw Story has reported, Siegelman was targeted by Republican opponents just weeks after first taking office in 1999. A bribery investigation into his appointment of a campaign contributor to a state board ultimately led to a 2006 conviction and a seven year jail sentence. Siegelman is out of prison now while he waits the results of an appeal.



The political campaign to convict Siegelman is said to include former senior Bush advisor, Karl Rove, who has also been accused of smearing a Republican attorney who named Rove as a party to the investigation and conviction of Siegelman.



The House Judiciary Committee has taken Rove's testimony on his alleged involvement in the Siegelman case. Further depositions from Bush officials believed to have been party to improper political machinations are expected.





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