Proof once again of John Hawkins’ hypothesis that “Anyone Can Post On The Internet,” this just in from our favorite local target of a federal investigation: Scrushy takes PR campaign to Web

10/30/03
SHERRI C. GOODMAN
News staff writer

Richard Scrushy has taken his image campaign to cyberspace with a Web site proclaiming his innocence in the HealthSouth accounting scandal and promising to reveal the truth.

Remember, just like Mulder said, “The Truth is Out There.”

The site, www.richardmscrushy.com, provides a lengthy biography of the HealthSouth founder and ousted CEO that begins: "Born in 1952 in Selma, Alabama - a town known as the birthplace of the civil-rights movement - Richard Scrushy is now fighting for his own rights and freedoms in the face of false allegations."

It includes a signed letter from him asserting the "personal accusations from the government, the press, various plaintiffs' lawyers, and even former co-workers I once trusted" are false.

Here. Use this.

"This Web site has been established to reveal the truth," the letter says. "I trust that you find it informative and enlightening, and will visit often to read the regular updates."

I would say, sir, your trust is misplaced.

The site, whose content is copyrighted by Scrushy, features a section called "Setting Things Straight" that includes attorney Thomas Sjoblom's explanation for Scrushy's refusal to testify before Congress on the scandal as well as a list of what is called media "inaccuracies."

Sjoblom said Wednesday the purpose of the Web site, which was launched this week, was to "level the playing field."

Of course! Because a multi-millionaire just can’t get a square deal in this country…

"People have been asking us what his side of the story is and people have been wondering when there's misinformation out there why it hasn't been corrected," he said.

"We need to straighten out the record."

Well, someone will probably get that opportunity under oath.

The Web site provides Scrushy's team the only mechanism for "broadbased distribution" of his message, Sjoblom said.

’Cause, you know, shilling yourself on 60 Minutes just isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

It also provides visitors with a way to send Scrushy "a note of encouragement" or any information that might be helpful in Scrushy's defense.

Heh. Naiveté is so cute.

A section titled "Support" is still under construction. […]

Well, I’m sure they just want to be sure it will be able to handle the huge volume of well-wishers.

Scrushy isn't the first embattled CEO to assert his innocence on the Web. Domestic diva Martha Stewart launched her site, www. marthatalks.com in June, just hours after she was indicted on five federal counts related to her sale of ImClone Systems Inc. shares. The site says it has received 14 million visits, with 65,000 notes of support sent to Stewart.

Public relations experts at the time lauded Stewart's Web site as a shrewd move to build support, possibly influence jurors and save her business, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia.

James Cox, a Duke University law professor specializing in corporate governance, described Scrushy's Web site as "misdirected."

"I'm not sure what he's trying to rehabilitate. With Martha Stewart, it was useful because it props up the stock that bears her name. Richard Scrushy's middle name is not 'HealthSouth,'" he said.

The Web site is "further evidence of ego and being self-absorbed," he added.

Now, now, Professor—you’re just letting your envy and jealousy get the better of you!

Attempts to reach Scrushy were unsuccessful.

Imagine that.

What’s going to be even more interesting is when he starts his own blog.
posted by Terry at 8:55:00 AM