Jackson — There was a time when Zach Scruggs seemed poised to follow his father to the top of the legal profession. Instead, he reports to prison Friday for knowing about the judicial bribery scheme that also landed his father behind bars.
Zach Scruggs, the 34-year-old son of once legendary civil lawsuit attorney Richard “Dickie” Scruggs, is to begin a 14-month sentence at a federal prison camp in Forrest City, Ark.
The senior Scruggs and a law partner have already reported to prison.
Dickie Scruggs, 62, gained fame in the 1990s by using a corporate insider in lawsuits against tobacco companies that resulted in a multibillion-dollar nationwide settlement. After graduating cum laude from law school, Zach Scruggs joined his father’s successful firm.
Their undoing came last year in a battle with other lawyers over $26.5 million in legal fees from Hurricane Katrina insurance cases.
The Scruggses and several associates were indicted in November and accused of conspiring to bribe the judge with $50,000 for a favorable ruling.
Father and son worked out deals in hopes of keeping the younger Scruggs out of prison. Dickie Scruggs pleaded guilty to conspiracy and was sentenced to five years.
Zach Scruggs pleaded guilty to misprision of a felony, meaning he knew about the crime and did not tell authorities. Prosecutors recommended probation.
Instead, Zach Scruggs and his attorneys were stunned in the courtroom when U.S. District Judge Neal Biggers Jr. sentenced him to more than a year.
“Not only did we expect probation, nobody goes to prison for misprision of a felony. So it was a pretty shocking turnaround that day,” Zach Scruggs’ lawyer, former Mississippi Attorney General Mike Moore, said Thursday.
Moore said Zach Scruggs got caught up simply by knowing his father and others were attempting to influence a judge.
“If he found out anything had been done, what was he going to do, call the police on his father?” Moore asked. “It was a very sad set of facts.”
The judge, however, said during sentencing that Zach Scruggs was caught on tape discussing the wording of a corrupt court order they wanted the judge to issue.
It “was just clear that you not only knew what was going on, you were participating in what was going on,” Biggers said. “You helped write that order.”
Still, Moore says, Zach Scruggs “certainly had nothing to do with bribing a judge. They had very little, if any, proof that Zach was involved at all.”
Dickie Scruggs is serving his time in a prison in Kentucky. Law partner Sidney Backstrom, who also pleaded guilty to conspiracy, is serving a 28-month sentence in the same prison where Zach Scruggs is headed.
Two others who pleaded guilty in the case are cooperating with authorities and have not been sentenced. Authorities continue to investigate at least one other case in which Dickie Scruggs’ associates say he tried to influence a different judge.
Local News
Miss. lawyer Zach Scruggs to report to prison
- Local News
-
-
SAFETY DAY
Picayune Police officers made a visit to the First Baptist Church of Picayune’s preschool class for their Community Helpers Safety Day. During the event the kids got to meet police officers and trigger lights and sirens in patrol vehicles.
- Escapee caught in county Pearl River County Sheriff’s deputies have captured the inmate who escaped from Mississippi Department of Corrections custody on Friday after attending his father’s wake in Picayune.
- Council discusses which funds to spend first On the same day as the ground breaking for the addition to the historic City Hall, city council members discussed which funds to spend first in its construction.
-
Poplarville aldermen honor Holliday, get audit report briefing
The city board of aldermen honored former District Three Supervisor Hudson Holliday at its Tuesday night meeting.
Mayor Billy Spiers presented Holliday with a framed resolution of appreciation for his dedication and service to the city while serving as county supervisor.
-
MRI INSTALLED
This $1.2 million Magnetic Resonance Imaging equipment was installed at the new location of Highland Community Hospital.
-
Hall suspected of robbery after escaping
A man who escaped from jail after attending his father’s wake is suspected of having carried out an armed robbery on the Texas-Arkansas state line. Johnny Hall escaped from Mississippi Department of Corrections custody on Friday while attending his father’s wake in Picayune.
-
City Hall expansion groundbreaking held
A groundbreaking ceremony was held Tuesday at the construction site for the expansion of the historic Picayune City Hall. “You can see our future when you look down Goodyear Boulevard. You see Chimney Square, our high school, The Link at First Baptist Church, Jack Read Park and then our historic City Hall.
-
PRC athletic director says he’ll recommend random drug testing
Pearl River Central athletic director Andy Kivlan told the school board at its Monday night meeting that he will most likely recommend that students participating in extracurricular activities, including band and ROTC, be subject to random drug screening.
-
Supervisors adopt resolution encouraging more economic development in South Miss.
Following a short presentation by State Sen. Tony Smith (R-Picayune), the board of supervisors adopted on Monday a resolution encouraging state officials and agencies to exercise “fairness and parity” regarding location of new industries in Mississippi.
-
MDEQ wants comprehensive waste disposal plan from county
The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality has told Pearl River County it wants a comprehensive waste disposal plan for the county. Supervisors indicated at their Monday meeting that they are not happy with the request.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Video of Ga. Man Who Killed Girl Released
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
White House Attacks Romney on Birth Control
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Mo. Teen Gets Life Sentence for Killing Girl, 9
Lower-hassle Screening to Be Tested at Airports
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Helmet Camera Captures Calif. Fire Rescue
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo.
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
