MISSISSIPPI LAWYERS INDICTED ON CHARGES OF ATTEMPTING TO INFLUENCE A MISSISSIPPI CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE

 

OXFORD, Miss--On Nov. 28, 2007, a federal grand jury in Oxford, Miss., returned an indictment against Richard F. “Dickie” Scruggs, David Zachary Scruggs, Sidney A. Backstrom, Timothy R. Balducci and Steven A. Patterson. The six-count indictment charges that the defendants violated federal laws in an attempt to influence a Mississippi Circuit Court Judge in the case of Jones v. Scruggs in the Circuit Court of Lafayette County, Miss.

As stated in the indictment, not only did Circuit Judge Lackey report the initial attempt to influence his decisions, he cooperated substantially with the FBI throughout this investigation.

If convicted, the defendants face maximum penalties of 75 years imprisonment, $1.5 million fine, 18 years of supervised release and $600 in special assessments.

While a grand jury has returned this indictment, the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

The men and women who have worked so hard and so well on this matter must be thanked. The FBI understood the importance of this investigation and responded marvelously. Their special agents and support staff have been outstanding. The U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Department of Justice have also worked tirelessly and professionally to get us where we are today.

“Rooting out public corruption is the FBI’s number one criminal priority,” said Fredrick T. Brink, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Mississippi. “Those who seek to betray the public trust will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law”.

This case remains under investigation. Anyone with knowledge concerning this case, please contact the FBI.

Attempted bribery of a judge strikes at the heart of our judicial system and will not be tolerated. In that regard, anyone with information concerning an attempt to influence a judge or jury in the State of Mississippi, please contact the FBI at (601) 948-5000 or through their website found at www.fbi.gov. <http://www.fbi.gov.>