Prosecutors: Scruggs and associates tried to influence Mississippi judge
Powerful attorney Richard “Dickie” Scruggs conspired with associates to win a favorable decision in a lawsuit by offering to help the state court judge in the case get appointed to the federal bench, according to court papers unsealed Monday in an expanding judicial bribery case.
The accusation is just the latest twist in a high-stakes legal drama that has ensnared politically connected Mississippi attorneys and threatened to bring down Scruggs, one of the wealthiest plaintiffs lawyers in the country.
The documents unsealed Monday confirm that attorney Joey Langston of Booneville pleaded guilty Jan. 7 to attempting to influence Hinds County Circuit Judge Bobby DeLaughter in a lawsuit dating back to 1994. Langston at one point represented Scruggs on bribery charges.
DeLaughter has not been charged with any wrongdoing and he denies accepting any type of bribe.
Sun Herald
1/14/8
Magnolia Tribune
