Scrushy on Tape Says ‘Everybody Goes Down’
As agents closed in on fraud at HealthSouth Corp. two years ago, then-Chief Executive Richard Scrushy told an aide “everybody goes down” if problems with the rehabilitation giant’s financial statements become public, according to a secretly made recording played at Scrushy’s trial.
Later the same day, amid what prosecutors describe as more discussions of the scheme, Scrushy reminded the same executive there were eight children in the Scrushy family.
“They need their daddy,” said Scrushy, whose wife has since had another child.
The recordings were made in March 2003 by former HealthSouth finance chief Bill Owens, who was cooperating with the FBI and has since pleaded guilty in the fraud. Jurors listened to recordings through headphones during Owens’ seventh day on the witness stand.
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