Former Gov. Don Siegelman Still Hoping for Presidential Pardon

Former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman could be released from prison as early as February, but is still hoping for a pardon from outgoing President Barack Obama.

In a Thanksgiving message to supporters, Siegelman thanked people who supported him during his incarceration.

The former governor said his earliest possible release date is Feb. 8. Siegelman said his hope for a presidential pardon will end when Obama leaves office.

The 70-year-old ex-governor is serving a 6½ year sentence for bribery and obstruction of justice in a federal prison in Louisiana.

A federal jury in 2006 convicted Siegelman on charges that he sold a seat on a state regulatory board to HealthSouth founder Richard Scrushy in exchange for $500,000 in donations to Siegelman’s 1999 lottery campaign.

Siegelman has maintained he is innocent.

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