[JURIST] A US district judge Friday ordered mediation in a civil suit brought by the US Securities and Exchange Commission [official website] against former HealthSouth [corporate website] CEO Richard Scrushy [official website], raising the possibility of settlement in the $800 million suit [SEC news release]. US District Judge Inge Johnson said in a short order that mediation was appropriate since it had been used in separate suits against Scrushy by investors. Although details of the negotiations have not been worked out, Scrushy's spokesman said the order was a positive development. Scrushy was acquitted of criminal charges [JURIST report] earlier this summer over his involvement in the $2.7 billion fraud scandal that came to light in 2003. AP has more.

Previously in JURIST's Paper Chase…

• Scrushy asks court to drop SEC suit against him
• Prosecutors drop bid to retry Scrushy for perjury
• SEC to pursue civil suit against Scrushy