A federal appeals court panel has upheld the conviction of Richard “Dickie” Scruggs, one of Mississippi’s most prominent attorneys before going to prison on judicial corruption charges.
A three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Scruggs’ conviction Friday.
Scruggs pleaded guilty in 2009 to improperly influencing then Hinds County Circuit Judge Bobby DeLaughter in a civil lawsuit. At the time of the guilty plea, Scruggs was serving a five-year sentence on charges from another judicial corruption case.
Scruggs has been free on $2 million bond pending the appeal.
Prosecutors say Scruggs told DeLaughter that he would recommend DeLaughter to his brother-in-law, retired Sen. Trent Lott, for an appointment to the federal bench.
DeLaughter pleaded guilty in 2009 to obstruction of justice. He’s out of prison.
Topics Mississippi
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