by Deb Cupples | The New York Times reports:
"New accusations have emerged during the appeal of the bribery conviction of former Gov. Don Siegelman of Alabama that could buttress Democrats’ claims that the case against him was politically tainted, even as he prepares to argue against his conviction in a federal appeals court in Atlanta early next month.
"The accusations, from a Justice Department employee, suggest that the Republican United States attorney whose office prosecuted Mr. Siegelman remained substantially involved in the case, long after she insisted that she had removed herself from it because of her partisan connections."
There seem to be two issues here. First, a juror expressed a "social interest" in one of the prosecution's investigators (apparently a really hot guy), and the juror passed notes to the prosecution team. Naturally, the defense suspects bias on that juror's part and misconduct on the prosecution's part.
Second, the U.S. attorney who had recused herself from the case reportedly remained involved in the case despite the recusal. The defense is (understandably) not happy about this, either.
You can read details here and see CBS's 60 Minutes video about the questionable prosecution of Siegelman below (or read the transcript).
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