Court is told that Lackey made first request for money
Circuit Judge Henry Lackey was the one who asked for the $40,000 in a case ensnaring famed attorney Richard “Dickie” Scruggs and four others, according to comments made in court Monday.
The five are accused of trying to bribe Lackey in 2007.
In open court in the Lafayette County Chancery Building, while preparing for a hearing on another case, attorney Grady Tollison recounted to Judge William Coleman a story he heard from Lackey last week.
Scruggs, his son Zach and Oxford attorney Sidney Backstrom were indicted Nov. 28, charged with attempting to bribe Lackey for a favorable ruling over $26.5 million in Katrina legal fees. Co-defendants Steven Patterson, a former state auditor, and New Albany attorney Timothy Balducci also were indicted in the case but have pleaded guilty and are cooperating with the government.
“Judge Lackey said he would need $40,000,” Tollison told the courtroom, in session for a hearing on what is known as the Jones case.
Patsy Brumfield
NE MS Daily Journal
1/14/8
Magnolia Tribune
