Jailed Ala. Ex-Governor Freed To Pursue Appeal
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MONTGOMERY, Ala. — A federal appeals court approved the release of a former Alabama governor, Don Siegelman, on bond yesterday while he appeals his convictions in a corruption case.
The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the former governor had raised “substantial questions of fact and law” in challenging his conviction, which Siegelman claims was politically motivated. The once-popular Democrat began serving a sentence of more than seven years in June on his conviction on six bribery-related counts and one obstruction count. He has been serving the sentence at a federal prison in Oakdale, La.
The former governor’s release was approved the same day the House Judiciary Committee announced it wanted Siegelman to testify before Congress about possible political influence over his prosecution.
“It’s a sweet day. He’s an innocent man and he’s been in prison for nine months,” Siegelman’s attorney, Vince Kilborn, said.
Mr. Kilborn said that he and other attorneys were working to have Siegelman released from the Louisiana prison as soon as they can deliver a certified copy of the court’s order to prison officials. It was not immediately clear when that would occur.
