The Mess In Mississippi: Balducci Agrees To Plead Guilty
As expected, Tim Balducci has agreed to plea guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery. According to the plea agreement (click here), Balducci has agreed to cooperate with the U.S. Attorney.
The plea agreement also says that Balducci has already substantially assisted the government in the case. “Provided the defendant continues his cooperation and substantial assistance,” reads the plea agreement, the government will ask for a downward departure when he is sentenced. In addition, it says that Balducci has agreed to a polygraph examination.
Last Wednesday, the feds indicted famed plaintiffs lawyer Richard “Dickie” Scruggs and four others, including Balducci. The quintet is charged with conspiring to give $40,000 to a state court judge. The alleged bribe was to gain a favorable ruling in a case concerning the divvying up of $26.5 million in legal fees from Katrina-related litigation involving Scruggs’s firm.
WSJ Law Blog
12/5/7
Magnolia Tribune
