U.S. SC declines to hear Scruggs' appeal

WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear an appeal by disgraced Mississippi attorney Richard "Dickie" Scruggs.

On Monday, the nation's high court refused to reconsider a ruling by a federal appeals court, which upheld Scruggs' corruption conviction.

In April, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit affirmed a lower court ruling.

In 2009, Scruggs, who made a name and fortune for himself as a plaintiffs' attorney in asbestos and tobacco litigation, pleaded guilty to influencing former Hinds County Circuit Judge Bobby DeLaughter.

Scruggs allegedly told DeLaughter he would recommend him to his brother-in-law, former U.S. Sen. Trent Lott, for a federal judgeship.

DeLaughter was presiding over Katrina-related legal fees lawsuits against Scruggs, and others.

Scruggs' appeal was among the many cases the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear this term, according to a 94-page order list.

Monday was the first day of the court's new term.

From Legal Newsline: Reach Jessica Karmasek by email at jessica@legalnewsline.com.