Jump to full article: Biloxi (MS) Sun Herald, 2009-01-14
Author: ANITA LEE
Intro: Former U.S. Sen. Trent Lott is an unnamed co-conspirator in a civil lawsuit filed in federal court against his brother-in-law, imprisoned ex-attorney Dickie Scruggs, said Vicki Slater, an attorney for the plaintiff.
The suit has been brought by attorney Roberts Wilson.
"Anybody who acts to further the conspiracy is a co-conspirator," Slater said. "He called (Circuit Judge) Bobby DeLaughter at Dickie's request."
DeLaughter has not been charged with a crime but is being accused of ruling in Scruggs' favor in exchange for a potential appointment to the federal bench.
Lott has acknowledged he called DeLaughter about a judgeship, but decided along with Sen. Thad Cochran to nominate someone else. Lott declined to discuss the lawsuit Tuesday, but longtime associate Bret Boyles said Scruggs was not the only attorney who suggested Delaughter for a judgeship.
. . .
Wilson and Scruggs enjoyed success with asbestos litigation in the 1980s. Wilson contends Scruggs cheated him out of asbestos fees, then used the money to help finance litigation against tobacco companies in the 1990s. Tobacco fees to Scruggs topped $800 million.
DeLaughter's 2006 ruling for Scruggs in the asbestos-fee dispute killed Wilson's chance of recovering tobacco fees, the lawsuit says.
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