Diaz ordered to Simpson job

The Clarion-Ledger, 1/23/9

Former state Supreme Court Justice Oliver Diaz Jr. has been appointed as a Simpson County Youth Court public defender, though the county doesn’t have enough money set aside to pay him.

A chancery judge ordered that Diaz, who lost a re-election bid last year, be given the job.

Diaz, a former appeals court judge and lawmaker, had told Chancery Judge Larry Buffington of Collins he needed one more year to qualify for the state retirement system.

But Buffington explained that Diaz will fill a position that had been cut out of the budget that he he had told Simpson County officials he wanted restored.

“I needed someone, and (Diaz) needed a job,” Buffington said.