Former HealthSouth CEO Scrushy asks federal court for release from prison on appeal bond

Scrushy asks for prison release on appeal bond

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Former HealthSouth CEO Richard Scrushy is asking a federal appeals court to release him from prison as his appeal is considered.

Scrushy made the request in light of a U.S. Supreme Court decision last month that ordered a review of his government corruption convictions and those of former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman. Scrushy had been denied appeal bond in 2008 but wants the appeals court to reconsider that order.

The former CEO’s attorneys say in a new motion filed this week that Scrushy is now broke because of a $2.8 billion judgment against him in a lawsuit by HealthSouth shareholders and no longer has the means or motivation to flee. Prosecutors had said he was a flight risk.

The motion also says Scrushy may be moved to a halfway house in less than a year.