Scruggs gets 5 years in prison in bribery scheme

[BigDaddy44]

Source: Associated Press

OXFORD, Miss. (AP) -- Richard "Dickie" Scruggs, the attorney who built his career by taking on tobacco, asbestos and insurance companies, was sentenced Friday to five years in prison for conspiring to bribe a judge.

U.S. District Judge Neal Biggers Jr. called Scruggs' conduct "reprehensible" and fined him $250,000. The judge handed down the full sentence requested by prosecutors despite arguments from the defense for half that time in prison.

Scruggs appeared to nearly faint as the federal judge scolded him for his conduct. Some people in the courtroom gasped as Scruggs started to sway side to side and his attorney grabbed his arm to steady him. He had to be seated before the sentence was read.

"I could not be more ashamed where I am today, mixed up in a judicial bribery scheme," Scruggs told the judge.

Read more: http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/080627/scruggs_sentence.html

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Hmm..... History of taking on tobacco, asbestos and insurance companies. Maybe somebody decided Mr. Scruggs got a bit too big for his britches and decided to teach him a lesson or two. In other words, be careful who you take on.........

[dipsydoodle]

1. For one horrible moment I thought you meant

[bean fidhleir]

5. That was my immediate thought, too! I couldn't imagine how it could be possible

Earl is no radical that I've ever heard tell, except musically

[Speciesamused]

2. Yes another take down by the right

and corporations running our country.

[flashl]

3. Guess who's celebrating ...

U.S. Chamber of Commerce celebrates 'branding' trial lawyers

"It took guts, bravery and vision to get behind what must have seemed like an insurmountable task - taking on the powerful trial bar," said Donohue, the chief executive of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. "We have succeeded beyond our expectations."

There were plenty of reasons for self-congratulation at the dinner, held this month to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the chamber's Institute for Legal Reform. Some of the best-known plaintiff-side lawyers in the United States - Richard Scruggs, Melvyn Weiss and William Lerach - have all pleaded guilty to charges that they tried to manipulate the justice system.

The very phrase "trial lawyer" has become associated with unadulterated greed; the Association of Trial Lawyers of America now calls itself the American Association for Justice.

IHT

[rusty_parts2001]

4. Is his brother-in-law, Trent Lott,

driving him to the big house?