HealthSouth tape prepared for trial

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- With federal investigators circling HealthSouth Corp., a longtime aide to then-CEO Richard Scrushy decided to reveal years of fraud rather than commit perjury, according to testimony Tuesday at Scrushy's trial. Bill Owens, who was primarily a finance executive but also briefly replaced Scrushy as CEO, said his cooperation included letting agents hide a small microphone in his tie so he could secretly record conversations with Scrushy. Owens' testimony set the stage for jurors to listen to the recordings. Prosecutors say they conclusively prove Scrushy's involvement in the scheme at the medical rehabilitation giant, but the defense contends they prove Scrushy's innocence.