Ex-Hinds DA turns in law license
“In view of my retirement and resignation, I do not desire to defend this matter,” Peters’ petition states.
Peters was never listed as counsel for the Scruggs’ team in a legal fees dispute lawsuit filed by former Scruggs’ associate Bob Wilson that was before DeLaughter. But Peters began to secretly work for Scruggs behind the scenes, talking regularly with DeLaughter, his former protege in the district attorney’s office, and sharing “draft copies” of judicial orders before DeLaughter entered them, according to Timothy Balducci, a New Albany lawyer disbarred in a separate bribery case that took down Scruggs.
Judicial rules prohibit judges from communicating with only one side.
Balducci testified Scruggs’ team flew down $50,000 in cash to Peters and that Peters was told it was tax free because no paperwork was going to be filed.
Former Booneville lawyer Joey Langston already has been sentenced to three years in prison after pleaded guilty in the case involving DeLaughter.
According to Langston’s plea agreement, Scruggs told Langston in February 2006 that he would let Langston, Peters and former State Auditor Steve Patterson split the “savings” from the lawsuit if DeLaughter ruled in their favor.
By the time both sides met for trial in August 2006, DeLaughter concluded Wilson was owed nothing more than belated payments by Scruggs totaling nearly $1.5 million. DeLaughter told lawyers there was nothing left but a “negative balance,” according to the transcript.
After DeLaughter ruled in his favor, Scruggs paid $3 million for the “savings” to Langston, who split the money with Peters and Patterson, according to Langston’s plea agreement.
Clarion Ledger
1/6/9
Magnolia Tribune
