Scruggs Pleads Guilty Again, More Indictments to Follow

Prosecutors Robert Norman (left) and Jim Greenlee outside the Aberdeen courthouse after Dick Scruggs' sentencing

MPB’s Sandra Knispel was in federal court in Aberdeen yesterday where the fallen "king of torts" – Dick Scruggs -- pleaded guilty a second time. But that’s not the end of the judicial bribery scandal.

Wearing a black suit and yellow tie, Dick Scruggs – transported back from federal prison in Kentucky especially for this court date -- looked like any successful lawyer... except for the slight shuffle in his gait… the shackles around his ankles, barely visible from beneath his trouser legs.

“You just witnessed Dickie Scruggs plead guilty for using United States mail in a scheme to defraud the citizens of the state of Mississippi of the honest services of a state circuit court judge," said Jim Greenlee, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Mississippi, speaking to reporters outside the Aberdeen courthouse right after the sentencing.

While prosecutors were clearly referring to Hinds County Circuit Judge Bobby DeLaughter, they were careful not to mention his name.

“Upon the plea agreement, upon the recommendation of the United States, Senior United States District Judge Glen Davidson just sentenced Mr. Scruggs to 84 months – 7 years – to run concurrently with the five year-sentence previously handed down to him by Senior Judge Neil Biggers,” Greenlee added.

In addition, the former star lawyer will pay a $100,000 fine. The judge recommended that Scruggs be moved to a facility closer to Oxford, both for the sake of his family and for the ease of continued cooperation. Davidson recommended a transfer to the federal prison in Forrest City, Arkansas. But, it’s no secret that the state’s bribery scandal is not over yet.

“That indictment is not yet publicly disclosed. We anticipate that to occur shortly. But we cannot comment further on that in order not to prejudice the rights of any other defendant or defendants it might be under that indictment," Greenlee said.

Tom Freeland, an Oxford lawyer and regular contributor to the legal blog Folo, has been watching the case closely.

“The U.S. attorney both in the hearing and in the press conference confirmed that there’s an indictment that is not yet public. That Richard Scruggs was part of that indictment and obviously there are other defendants. From the cause number it appears that the indictment has been sealed since very early in January, which means they were negotiating for some time," Freeland extrapolated. "There may be ongoing negotiations, but I have the distinct impression that in very short order it’s going to come out.”

Meanwhile, Greenlee would not confirm reports of any immunity deals. But listen carefully to the last three words, hinting at more cases.

“Mr. Scruggs has agreed, as you heard, to cooperate with the United States in this matter and in others,” Greenlee said.

Again listen closely to Wilfred Rattigan, assistant special agent in charge of the FBI division in Jackson, keeping in mind that so far no judge has been indicted in the second bribery scandal and that the judge in the first bribery scheme proved above reproach and blew the whistle.

“The violation of our courts by lawyers and judges who are sworn to uphold and enforce justice strikes at the core of who we are as a country and cannot be allowed to go unpunished," Rattigan stressed. Neither money, nor power, nor political influence will protect those who attempt to corrupt our judicial system.”

At the sentencing, the judge drew on a classical proverb: “Money is like sea water,” he told the multimillionaire. “The more you drink, the thirstier you become.”

Scruggs meanwhile vowed to keep the promise made to Senior Judge Neil Biggers last summer to “emerge from this ordeal a better man.” Scruggs continued: “I’ve had a lot of time to think about that pledge in a remote federal prison in surroundings that few people in this room can imagine. […] I acknowledge and own up fully to my role and my responsibility in this sordid business. I sincerely apologize to the Court, to the Bench and Bar, to the people in Mississippi, and to all those that I have injured by my misconduct.”

Scruggs will not be charged again in this matter and is now cooperating with investigators. Anything he tells them now cannot be used against him. In return, the government has left open the possibility of petitioning the court at a later date for a reduction of his prison term.

I asked prosecutor Greenlee if the next round of indictments would come soon, say in less than a week.

“Hm, possibly. We’ll see. [laughs] Yeah, possibly.”

Sandra Knispel
MPB News, Aberdeen.