Scrushy Civil Case Far Cry From Criminal Trial

JAY REEVES

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Richard Scrushy's federal criminal trial was an entertaining, white-collar whodunit with everything from a courtroom prayer circle to a big cartoon rat.

Four years later, a shareholder lawsuit seeking $2.6 billion from the disgraced HealthSouth Corp. chief executive isn't making nearly the same splash. There have been few fireworks and no crowds this time, despite the huge amount of money at stake.

Part of the difference is a change in the times and financial environment: Wall Street's meltdown, bailouts and the recession are bigger news than an immense corporate scam that ended six years ago. ...