FOLO – Judge DeLaughter: I am “assisting said [federal] authorities”

Judge DeLaughter: I am “assisting said [federal] authorities”

In Eaton Corp. v. Frisby, Judge DeLaughter used different language. In the Eaton recusal order, he wrote: “There has been recent publicity that a previous case before the undersigned is being investigated by the federal authorities. The undersigned is, of course, assisting said authorities, and is concerned that because of the necessary time in doing so the undersigned will not be able to continue to devote the time that will be required (and that the parties expect and deserve) to address, research, and rule on the voluminous motions that will continue to be filed in this protracted and complicated litigation.”

The italics I’ve added. “[A]ssisting said authorities” are not words used lightly by a former prosecutor and current circuit judge. He’s not just saying “I’m helping out here.” These words mean something pretty precise to lawyers doing criminal cases. He may be telling us something here, and, if so, it’s big news that has been sitting quietly in the clerk’s office since January 4th, with no one noticing.

This case drew media attention because, on Thursday, lawyers for the defendants (Frisby and others) filed a motion asking that rulings in the case be re-examined because of the ongoing judicial bribery investigation involving Judge DeLaughter and Ed Peters. Frisby’s lawyers state that “it has come to their attention through what appeared to be accidental e-mails that Peters was working on behalf of Eaton in the case.” The motion notes DeLaughter had removed a special master after Peters’ involvement.

FOLO
1/25/8