Scruggs’ second guilty plea puts heat on Judge DeLaughter
Court records established that Peters allegedly received a total of $1 million for helping persuade DeLaughter to rule in Scruggs’ favor in the legal fee dispute. The $425,000 is apparently all that’s left after taxes and stock market losses.
Scruggs, Langston, Balducci, Patterson and Peters have all entered into one agreement or another with the feds regards the Hinds County case. The only figure who hasn’t is DeLaughter.
While DeLaughter hasn’t been charged with anything, the parade of plea bargains and subsequent cooperating witnesses can’t bode well for the Hinds County jurist.
Player or pawn? DeLaughter’s judicial career now depends on the answer to that key question.
Sid Salter
Clarion Ledger
2/11/9
Magnolia Tribune
