Feds Dispute Siegelman's Travel Restrictions

WASHINGTON (AP) - Federal probation officials are disputing
former Governor Don Siegelman's claims that he was placed under new
travel restrictions this week after speaking out about his
corruption prosecution.
Cynthia McGough, chief probation officer for the U.S. District
Court's northern district office in Birmingham, said Siegelman is
under the same bond conditions that were set in 2006 as he awaited
sentencing. She said he has always been required to get prior
approval to travel outside the state from the judge handling his
case.
She said the only new development is Siegelman's request to
travel to New Orleans. McGough said the U.S. district court in
Louisiana requires that special offenders get prior approval to
visit.
But Siegelman said the decision to classify him as a special
offender makes a "huge difference," noting that some districts
require 30 days' notice. He argued that the decision is aimed at
preventing him from speaking out about his case, which he insists
was politically motivated.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)