Zach Scruggs Denied Appeal on Judge Bribery Conviction

The full 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has refused to hear an appeal from Zach Scruggs, who was implicated as having knowledge of a Mississippi judicial corruption scheme that toppled his father, plaintiffs’ lawyer Richard “Dickie” Scruggs.

A three-judge panel of the court in New Orleans in August upheld Zach Scruggs conviction. He then asked the full court to hear the case. The full court refused in an Oct. 1 order.

The younger Scruggs, a law partner with his father, pleaded guilty to failing to report a conspiracy to improperly influence a Mississippi judge in a dispute with other lawyers over $26.5 million in legal fees.

He served a 14-month prison sentence and also lost his law license and paid a $250,000 fine.

Richard Scruggs and three others were convicted in the bribery scheme.