On Sunday’s "60 Minutes" on CBS, anchor Scott Pelley provided an update for a story done in February about former Democratic Governor of Alabama, Don Siegelman, who was convicted of bribery in 2006: "A federal court has released former Alabama Governor Don Siegelman from prison six weeks after our story...Siegelman says his prosecution was political, orchestrated in the White House."
The original "60 Minutes" story, which Pelley credits for Seigelman’s release, was aired on February 24 and claimed that not only was Sigelman’s prosecution politically motivated, but that it was done at the direct order of White House advisor Karl Rove. During that story, Pelley talked to Republican Alabama attorney, Jill Simpson, and asked: "Karl Rove asked you to take pictures of Siegelman...in a compromising sexual position with one of his aides?"
During Sunday’s update on the story, Pelley interviewed Siegelman:
PELLEY: Siegelman was once the most successful Democrat in Alabama. He claims that his prosecution by the US Department of Justice was influenced by the president's former political adviser, Karl Rove.
Story Continues Below Ad ↓SIEGELMAN: What we need is Karl Rove to get himself over to the Judiciary Committee and put his hand on a Bible and take an oath and give testimony. And he can either tell the truth or take the Fifth. Either one will satisfy me.
Pelley concluded the update by offering a brief quote of Rove’s response to the accusations: "Rove declined to appear before the House Committee investigating the case, but he told us, quote, ‘I never talked to the Department of Justice about Siegelman. I never talked to anyone at the White House about Siegelman.’" No reaction from Rove was included in the original story and in an interview with GQ Magazine, Rove was quoted as saying: "CBS is a shoddy operation. They said, "Hey, if we can say 'Karl Rove,' 'Siegelman,' that'll be good for ratings. Let's hype it."
Here is the full transcript of the story update:
7:54PM SEGMENT:
SCOTT PELLEY: An update now on the story that we called "The Prosecution of Governor Siegelman." A federal court has released former Alabama Governor Don Siegelman from prison six weeks after our story. In 2006, Siegelman was convicted of bribery, but the prosecution was so troubling that Congress started an investigation. Siegelman says his prosecution was political, orchestrated in the White House. He was in prison in February when he watched our story with other inmates. What was the reaction to the piece?
DON SIEGELMAN: Well they, immediately, the people were standing up saying, 'You got screwed.' And I said, 'Well, you know, I think there were a lot of y'all that got screwed.' And then one guy stood up and said, 'No, I was guilty; you got screwed.'
PELLEY: Using different words, a federal appeals court raised the same possibility; agreeing that his "appeal raises substantial questions of law or fact likely to result in reversal" of his conviction. Siegelman was once the most successful Democrat in Alabama. He claims that his prosecution by the US Department of Justice was influenced by the president's former political adviser, Karl Rove.
SIEGELMAN: What we need is Karl Rove to get himself over to the Judiciary Committee and put his hand on a Bible and take an oath and give testimony. And he can either tell the truth or take the Fifth. Either one will satisfy me.
PELLEY: Rove declined to appear before the House Committee investigating the case, but he told us, quote, "I never talked to the Department of Justice about Siegelman. I never talked to anyone at the White House about Siegelman." Siegelman's case is now on appeal.
—Kyle Drennen is a news analyst at the Media Research Center.




















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He was released on appeal.
April 7, 2008 - 16:47 ET by suzycreamcheeseHe was released on appeal. He's not totally out of the water yet. Siegelman is a lying, thieving scum of a politician, and he needs to be put back in prison where he belongs. It has been proven that Karl Rove had nothing to do with Siegelman, and the woman making the claims keeps changing her story. How Rove got dragged into this mess I don't know.
Just a thought...
April 7, 2008 - 19:06 ET by vaboxrboyI'm not defending Seiglman or attacking Rove, but doesn't anyone find it curious that a former governor was taken to a maximum security prison, held without bail, and was denied access to the press and his family to a certain extent? I'm no criminal law expert, but at least from what I've seen on local televisions, even murderers get some sort of bail. To be rushed off and sealed off like that seems highly suspect.
He Was Found Guilty by a Jury
April 7, 2008 - 20:04 ET by acumen".....doesn't anyone find it curious that a former governor was taken to a maximum security prison, held without bail, and was denied access to the press and his family to a certain extent?"
No.
For starters - A JURY in Montgomery, Ala. has CONVICTED former Democrat(ic) Governor Don Eugene Siegelman along with former HealthSouth Chief Executive Officer Richard Scrushy of conspiracy, bribery and fraud...all very serious charges...all felonies.
Response to your first point -- "taken to a maximum security prison"
When convicted on Federal charges, it is not unusual at all (more like standard operating procedure) for a CONVICTED FELON to begin his stay behind bars in a Federal Maximum Security Prison. If said CONVICTED FELON is appealing his case, said CONVICTED FELON is held in Administrative Lock-up at a Maximum Security Federal Prison until appeal bond is granted or the appeal is decided by the higher court(s). If the appeal is denied, at that time the Federal Prison System determines the appropriate facility to house said CONVICTED FELON.
Response to your second point - "held without bail"
That is a mute point. The disgraced CONVICTED FELON is in fact now OUT on appeal bond awaiting the outcome of his appeal. Bond is not immediately granted a CONVICTED FELON awaiting an appeal -- motions and briefs are filed and the courts must decide the issue. This procedure takes time and not all CONVICTED FELONS are granted an appeal bond based on various factors.
Repsonse to your third point - "denied access to the press and his family to a certain extent?"
This is the reality called prison life for a CONVICTED FELON. Unlike the Democrat(ic) Governor's prior charmed and powerful life as a supposed PUBLIC SERVANT, this disgraced CONVICTED FELON awaiting appeal is treated no differently in prison than any other FELON CONVICTED on similar charges awaiting appeal. Other than reasonable access to council, that treatment consists of among other things, very limited contact by phone or personally with the outside world.
Yep,
April 7, 2008 - 20:22 ET by general companyOther than reasonable access to council, that treatment consists of among other things, very limited contact by phone or personally with the outside world.
Whooow dude,,, this sounds like prison dude?
" that seems highly suspect".
Yup, and he is currently being give a courtesy that you and I could only dream of.
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
Wait, wait...
April 7, 2008 - 20:38 ET by heldmyw..so you're saying he was FOUND GUILTY of a FELONY? Incarcerated for same?
Well!
That does explain the lack of 'turndown service' and the missing pillow mints...
He should speak to the concierge.
Rove
April 7, 2008 - 17:04 ET by okiehawk44The great "they" use both Rove and Cheney (the master puppeteers) to pump up democratic hate against Bush/Republicans.
The media consists of some of the dumbest and laziest people in the country. You folks are just now discovering the character flaws of the Clintons that most of us out here in the real world saw in the early '90s. Geez you guys are unbelievable, what else are you missing?
I challenge all so-called journalists to actually work a story and get the truth behind former Gov. Siegelman. He may be a card-carrying member of your chosen political party, but he is a crook. Prove me wrong or just shut up and have another drink.
So, let's recap:
April 7, 2008 - 17:10 ET by jdhawkSo, let's recap: Siegleman's defense is that Rove told the Justice and Justice determined that indeed he was guilty of these crimes.?
And, CBS's "proof" that the above is true is the Siegleman said so?
Yeah, another steller J.O.B by CBS.
Hey! CBS - Rove doesn't work for the White House anymore and President Bush isn't running for any office. <doh!>
Rove and democrat RDS
April 7, 2008 - 17:33 ET by ScrapironIf I read the democrats rants right then Rove should be 'ruler' of the world. He gets around and gets things done, even to peanut governors in nothing states. More Lame Stream Media Slime merchants like Pelley is just what this country needs, not. One good thing, the slime is finally burying the Lame Stream Media so deep they'll never dig out. Million dollar news (sic) broadcasters will be asking 'do you want fries with that'.
Old, Retired and glad of it.
Pelley, My Crusading Knight
April 7, 2008 - 17:45 ET by SickofLibsSiegelman is a thief whose day will come and Pelley, as always, is a deceitful self-righteous shithead, pure and simple.
What a hero, you are Pelley. Who's the next most deserving scum you're gonna come to the aid of?
In my book, you're running a very close second to bathtub boy.
They'll add Rove to the
April 7, 2008 - 17:46 ET by BlazerThey'll add Rove to the equation when it suit's them, because in thier mind's it add's skepticism and doubt. There's only "outrage" when a Republican commit's a real crime or a percieved crime, but on thier side political posturing comes before justice.
Justice would be Siegelman going back to the pogie to serve the remainder of his sentence with Sandy Burglar, Harry Reid, John Murtha and William Jefferson as his bunkmates, to name a few.
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
" The Cake is a lie."
YADA YADA ROVE YADA
April 7, 2008 - 18:26 ET by timzankI happened to catch the Pelley "update" too. You guys are right, Rove is always thrown in just to add a little zip to the story. Pelley is a putz, pure and simple. He's been groomed to follow in the footsteps of the other morons on the CBS payroll.
Drudge: CBS may outsource news to CNN
April 7, 2008 - 18:54 ET by nkviking75As of 6:48 CST on Monday night, Drudge was reporting...
CBS, once nicknamed 'The Tiffany Network,' is in serious talks to contract out most of its news reporting to CNN, reports on Tuesday will claim... Developing... [no linked story available at this writing]
That would be a great opportunity to cut Pelley loose.
When you put the clowns in charge, don't be surprised when a circus breaks out.
Bail
April 7, 2008 - 18:58 ET by allanfIt is not unusual for those convicted of white collar crimes to be released on bail pending appeal in Federal cases. That does not mean his conviction is likely to be overturned.
The local newspapers were a little better in their coverage than Pelley. Seigleman has been granted bail by two 11th Circuit Judges Susan Black and Stanley Marcus. The order was concise and the grounds for release only require that you have "substantial" issues to raise on appeal.
In a blow to judical independence, members of the House Judiciary committee plan to hold hearings on the Seigelman case to bolster his claim tha political influences (eg the evil Rove) motivated his prosecution.
What does that say about respet for a jury's verdict or the courts?
The two 11th Circuit
April 7, 2008 - 22:44 ET by stratmanThe two 11th Circuit Judges Susan Black and Stanley Marcus were appointed by President Clinton.
Color me surprised.
RRAM Tough!
Inmates
April 7, 2008 - 19:20 ET by sam.i.amHey, all the inmates with Siegelman said he got screwed, illustrating how borderline-retarded social misfits are swayed by the great "reporting" at 60 Minutes.
There seems to be a large overlap between the felon demographic and the typical liberal viewer of CBS news.
Yikes!
April 7, 2008 - 23:31 ET by Hero Squad"Hey, all the inmates with Siegelman said he got screwed..."
Yikes!
*****
"People only insist that a debate stop when they are afraid of what might be learned if it continues." - George Will
Rove is Right
April 7, 2008 - 20:43 ET by LionKingCBS is a "shoddy operation." They make statements based on hearsay, yet treat them like facts.
I think vaboxrboy gets it
April 7, 2008 - 23:11 ET by DelsaYou guys are great. wonderful explainations re: lack of freedom for Convicted Felons.
Who'd a thunk life should be sooo hard for the poor SOB?
I hope he goes back to his cell very soon.
Was the Health South Group ever friendly with Bill Clinton? Sounds familure somehow.?