Scruggs’ partner asking for sanctions
The Justice Department is investigating the alleged misconduct that involves Scruggs, Hinds County Circuit Judge Bobby DeLaughter and his former boss, one-time Hinds County District Attorney Ed Peters.
In 2005, a federal magistrate judge ordered Scruggs to pay $17 million to another former partner, Alwyn Luckey, for legal fees in that asbestos litigation. But DeLaughter ruled in 2006 that Scruggs didn’t owe Wilson more than a belated $1.5 million payment – a ruling that went contrary to the findings of a special master appointed to weigh the evidence before trial.
On Jan. 7, one of Scruggs’ attorneys, Joey Langston of Booneville, pleaded guilty to scheming to corruptly influence DeLaughter in the case.
In a recent hearing, New Albany lawyer Tim Balducci, who pleaded guilty in a separate federal judicial bribery investigation, testified flatly that DeLaughter took a bribe in the form of consideration for a federal judgeship.
“Mr. Balducci testified that the favorable outcome for the Scruggs defendants was due to the corruption and bribery scheme of the Scruggs defendants and their co-conspirators,” Slater wrote.
DeLaughter, who is suspended from the bench pending an investigation into the allegations, has said he ruled according to law and never took a bribe – money or otherwise.
Langston and Balducci are now disbarred.
Scruggs’ attorney, John Keker of San Francisco, has defended his client’s actions, saying Scruggs “didn’t corruptly influence Judge DeLaughter.”
Clarion Ledger
4/23/8
Magnolia Tribune
