Prosecutors drop charges against former Alabama governor, top aide

[Syrinx]

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — The prosecution of former Gov. Don Siegelman and a top aide ended abruptly Tuesday when a federal judge gutted a conspiracy charge that was the linchpin of the case and prosecutors dropped the remaining charge.

"The people of Alabama can see that what we've said all along was correct — that this indictment was baseless and false," Siegelman said.

Moments after listening to opening statements in the trial Tuesday, U.S. District Judge U.W. Clemon ruled there was insufficient evidence to support a conspiracy charge against Siegelman and former chief of staff Paul Hamrick.

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