Siegelman denied justice by politicized judiciary

Former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman has had no luck in getting out of federal prison on an appeal bond. His best hope appears to be a Monopoly game Get-Out-of-Jail-Free card, which describes his predicament.

Thus, from June until now, he remains in a Louisiana federal prison, out of sight after what appears to have been a political lynching for doing what politicians do every day — appointing a financial contributor to a high position.

Attorneys for Mr. Siegelman filed a new motion Tuesday asking the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to order the trial judge to release him on bond while his case is on appeal. U.S. District Judge Mark Fuller sentenced him to more than seven years in prison for allegedly taking a bribe from former chief executive officer and founder of HealthSouth, Richard Scrushy. The indictment accused him of appointing Mr. Scrushy to a health regulatory board in exchange for $500,000 in contributions to help pay for his failed education lottery. Mr. Scrushy’s sentence was slightly less than seven years and he also remains in prison.

Judge Fuller, in a highly unusual decision, ordered both men handcuffed and led off to prison after sentencing.

Now, Mr. Siegelman can’t get an appeal hearing on the merits of his case and can’t get out of prison while the court takes its time.

Democracy loses along with Mr. Siegelman when politics takes over the judiciary. Rolling the Monopoly dice might have given him more justice.