Ninety-one former attorneys general from U.S. states and territories asked the U.S. Supreme Court Friday to hear former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman's appeal of his federal bribery conviction, claiming it raises important issues on political speech.
The bipartisan group filed a brief arguing that it wasn't against the law for Siegelman to name former HealthSouth CEO Richard Scrushy to a powerful hospital regulatory board after Scrushy arranged donations to Siegelman's campaign for a state lottery.
If Siegelman's conviction stands, the group argues it could have a paralyzing effect on the political process, "that largely depends upon private contributions and the liberty of constituents to contribute to political campaigns without fear of criminal liability."
"This case concerns the criminalization of conduct protected by the First Amendment — the giving and receiving of campaign contributions," the brief said.
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