Blake’s information ‘right-on’
Politicians had to be finessed, whistle-blowers compensated and at least one lawsuit smoothed over before tobacco companies agreed to settle legal disputes that eventually earned attorney Richard “Dickie” Scruggs around $1 billion in legal fees.
For 10 years, Scruggs fought two attorneys who laid claim to a share of asbestos and tobacco fees. The court battles revealed millions in payments Scruggs willingly handed over to another attorney, Joey Langston of Booneville, Delta farmer turned political consultant P.L. Blake, and key tobacco insider Merrell Williams.
Anita Lee
Sun Herald
12/17/7
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Lindsay Whitehurst, Associated Press
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April 17, 2026
The Supreme Court hands a win to oil and gas companies fighting environmental lawsuits in Louisiana
The unanimous procedural decision gives the companies a new day in federal court after a state jury ordered Chevron to pay upward of $740 million to clean up damage to the state’s coastline, one of multiple similar lawsuits.
