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Siegelman Lawyer Stumped By Obstruction Charge
When assistant US attorney Steve Feaga tossed a cryptic obstruction of justice accusation at Gov. Don Siegelman (D) earlier this week, what was he talking about?
I spoke with Siegelman's lawyer Vince Kilborn this afternoon. He said he isn't sure what Feaga meant by the obstruction comment, but that prosecutors did approach him about six weeks ago with a reduced-sentence offer if Siegelman cooperated in another case (though, not several cases as Feaga insinuated). Siegelman decided not to testify against Tuscaloosa physician Phillip Bobo in a Medicaid fraud case, despite the "attractive" prospect of a reduced sentence. Bobo was acquitted by a jury on Aug. 20. Kilborn pointed out, however, that opting not to cooperate with prosecutors is not obstruction of justice. So the mystery continues.
Comments (12)
carolyn wrote on September 1, 2007 1:16 AM:Who the h... is Steve Feaga? A Gonzales appointee??? Wierd.
carolyn wrote on September 1, 2007 1:17 AM:Who the h... is Steve Feaga? A Gonzales appointee??? Wierd.
Roberta wrote on September 1, 2007 1:18 AM:Laura,
Tell Siegelman's attorney to talk with Scott Horton of Harper's. His interview with Amy Goodman of Democracy Now! (http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=07/08/24/1322201) gives a good indication of why Feaga would take this desperate measure. He suggests that the machinations behind Siegelman's prosecution lead back so directly to Rove that it could be the most significant evidence of political maneuverings in the DoJ, per WH direction.
If the US Attorney's office in Birmingham is as dirty as it seems to be, this bluster by Feaga might be his stalling game until he gets the (hoped-for, likely, or even possible?) bailout from Washington. Desperate men take desperate measures.
carolyn wrote on September 1, 2007 1:20 AM:Roberta you seem to know stuff. What's this about?
Roberta wrote on September 1, 2007 2:04 AM:Carolyn,
I got tipped to the interview with Horton by another TPM reader dhs in the post for ""Obvious" Obstruction Of Justice Accusation Unclear
By Laura McGann - August 31, 2007, 10:32 AM." So I listened to the interview.
If you don't know all the background on the Siegelman revelations this year, it would behoove you to go back through TPM's archives. It broke when Alabama attorney Dana Jill Simpson gave a sworn affidavit about just how Siegelman came to be prosecuted for his--and the word is apt here--alleged offenses.
Maybe Siegelman is corrupt as hell, but that's not why he was prosecuted. Horton characterizes Siegelman as the most powerful Democrat in Alabama at the time, and he was the greatest obstacle to that holy dream of total Republican dominance.
TPM used to have a direct Siegelman link, but all you have to do is use "Search the Site" (at the top of the left-hand column), "Siegelman," and "last three months," and you'll get all the articles. It takes awhile for them to come up, but that's because there are a lot of them. The first in the group in June 22, 2007.
This saga has been absolutely my favorite, and it has the potential to be the linchpin that when it is pulled dismantles this Administration.
Happy reading and listening!
Donald from Hawaii wrote on September 1, 2007 4:00 AM:We're living in a Fellini film. That's the only logical explanation for how and why our country's politics has gone so terribly astray.
JEP wrote on September 1, 2007 8:58 AM:http://www.drought.unl.edu/dm/12_week.gif
Track this gif with Siegelman's legal dilemma..
It all started when he got sentenced, and has gotten worse every week..
Just food for thought..
Nowhere Man wrote on September 1, 2007 10:29 AM:I was going to write a snarky comment about how there was no "underlying crime" in the Bobo case, and so therefore no obstruction of justice.
But by saying that Siegelman is "reaching out from [his] jail cell" to obstruct justice, Feaga seems to be angling to limit Sieglemen's access to the media, and possibly even to his lawyer.
It seemed only a matter of time before that tactic spread from being a means to deal with "terrorists", into a broader approach for handling suspected "criminals."
Tommy wrote on September 2, 2007 8:16 PM:This is an interesting tale and I think it will become more interesting in the next few weeks. A few nights ago I was sitting across a table from Jill Simpson and I really did not follow through with any meaningful questions, but she is expected to testify before Congress later this month and I look forward to hearing what she has to say.
Accusing Siegelman of obstruction of justice while he is locked away smacks of political partisan politics. If I were accused of a crime an there was even the smallest chance of a successful appeal then you can bet your butt that I would be pursuing that chance!
Thom Hartmann did a great hour on Air America Radio last week debunking the Siegelman prosecution.
Anonymous wrote on September 2, 2007 8:20 PM:This is an interesting tale and I think it will become more interesting in the next few weeks. A few nights ago I was sitting across a table from Jill Simpson and I really did not follow through with any meaningful questions, but she is expected to testify before Congress later this month and I look forward to hearing what she has to say.
Accusing Siegelman of obstruction of justice while he is locked away smacks of political partisan politics. If I were accused of a crime an there was even the smallest chance of a successful appeal then you can bet your butt that I would be pursuing that chance!
Thom Hartmann did a great hour on Air America Radio last week debunking the Siegelman prosecution.
molly wrote on September 2, 2007 11:12 PM:Re. Seigelman..I read that Rove stood up and said "I didn't make the call." He had that evil smile on his face. Then his aide stood up and said "He meant to say he has no comment." Bush and KKKarl both like to rub our noses in their messes.I'm glad there is Karma because the justice system is shot. Cynthia McKinny was unable to have volunteers go to election machines and make sure they started on zero when she was up for re election. Ga. passed a law you couldn't do it.She was the most courageous lawmaker in Washington. The Nazis worked hard to get her out of office. She is lucky to be alive.
molly wrote on September 2, 2007 11:14 PM:Re. Seigelman..I read that Rove stood up and said "I didn't make the call." He had that evil smile on his face. Then his aide stood up and said "He meant to say he has no comment." Bush and KKKarl both like to rub our noses in their messes.I'm glad there is Karma because the justice system is shot. Cynthia McKinny was unable to have volunteers go to election machines and make sure they started on zero when she was up for re election. Ga. passed a law you couldn't do it.She was the most courageous lawmaker in Washington. The Nazis worked hard to get her out of office. She is lucky to be alive.