Richard Scruggs, the well-known Scruggs and co-defendant Sidney Backstrom pleaded guilty to conspiring to bribe a judge in a dispute over attorney fees, the Associated Press reports. The trial had been scheduled to begin March 31.
Prosecutors will recommend a sentence of five years in prison for Scruggs and a sentence of two-and-a-half years in prison for Backstrom, the AP story says. The Northeast Mississippi Journal says they also face a maximum fine of $250,000.
| Life without parole wouldn't be long enough. |
Scruggs' wife and Backstrom both fought tears during the hearing. Scruggs contained his emotions, although he looked pale and thin, according to the Northeast Mississippi Journal report. Scruggs and Backstrom admitted they conspired to bribe a judge, the allegations in the first count in the indictment. The government will seek dismissal of the remaining counts.
Lerach and now this; if only Edwards were next.