Scruggs Gets 5 Years, $250K Fine in Judicial Bribery Case
Updated: Famed Mississippi plaintiffs attorney Richard “Dickie” Scruggs, ashamed and shaking, was sentenced to five years in prison today for his role in a conspiracy to bribe a state judge.
Imposing the sentence recommended by prosecutors, a federal judge in Mississippi also fined Scruggs $250,000, reports the Associated Press. Defense counsel had sought a prison sentence of roughly half as much time as the judge imposed on Scruggs, who made a fortune litigating against asbestos, tobacco and insurance companies and is reportedly one of the richest men in Mississippi.
“Scruggs, 62, nearly fainted as the judge scolded him for his conduct, and people in the courtroom gasped as he swayed side to side,” the news agency writes. “He had to be seated for a time before the sentence was read, but later stood back up.”
Despite an apology from Scruggs, who said he could not be more ashamed to be where he was, U.S. District Judge Neal Biggers Jr. criticized the plaintiffs attorney, saying that he was troubled by the thought that “perhaps it was not the first time,” reports the Los Angeles Times.
“The justice system has made you a rich man, and you attempted to corrupt it,” Biggers told Scruggs as he sentenced him. “You not only corrupted the court, but you violated your oath as an attorney.”
Scruggs is scheduled to report to prison on Aug. 4, and has 30 days to pay the fine. The judge also ordered him to pay the cost of his incarceration.
Earlier coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Scruggs Pleads Guilty; Plus a Profile of the ‘King of Torts’”
ABAJournal.com: “Scruggs Says He’ll Accept Suspension Over Disbarment”
Updated at 6:40 p.m., central time, to include information from Los Angeles Times coverage and more recent Associated Press article.
