When did it become a crime to accept a political donation?

CHIP HILL: It's worth noting that for the first time in history, well over a hundred former Attorneys General (Republicans and Democrats) from more than 30 states filed a brief stating that the contribution the Governor received and the appointment he made, was routine politics across the land. Top law professors across America also filed a brief stating much the same thing. In one of the 13 editorials written by the New York Times about this case, the Times said that Siegelman was convicted of something that "had never been considered a crime before." This sentiment was echoed by an episode of "60 Minutes", 13 MSNBC segments, conservative columnist George Will, and multiple segments by Neil Cavuto on Fox News.

Richard Scrushy had contributed to three previous Governors and received the same appointment three times. Governor Riley received large contributions from someone he appointed to the same board. There was no investigation at all. In a 2003 story, the Washington Post said that to be considered for appointment as an ambassador, an individual had to raise $250,000 for the Bush campaign. The Houston Chronicle reported that Rick Perry's top contributors all received appointments. The burning question that remains is why did it suddenly become a crime when Scrushy contributed to Siegelman? Richard Scrushy's contribution did not go to Governor Siegelman. It went to the Alabama Education Foundation. The Government never charged Siegelman with personally receiving a penny. He will serve 69 months for a bribery in which he didn't receive anything.


TOM DEGAN: I wrote this piece four years ago, never dreaming his saga would still be playing out nearly half a decade later. Read for yourself what was done to this man by Karl Rove and the Bush justice department:

http://tomdegan.blogspot.com/2008/03/sad-twisted-saga-of-don-siegelman.HTML
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