Friday, March 13, 2009
Suspended Hinds County Circuit Court Judge Bobby DeLaughter, arraigned in federal court last month on a five-count indictment, has asked the court to reschedule some upcoming court dates so that his attorney will have adequate time to prepare, according to the Daily Journal.
Charges against DeLaughter stem from the Dickie Scruggs bribery scandal—which includes DeLaughter's ex-boss, former Hinds County District Attorney Ed Peters—and include conspiracy to defraud the U.S., mail fraud and lying to investigators. Prosecutors say that Peters "corruptly influenced" DeLaughter. Scruggs is serving a five year sentence, and two other attorneys, Joey Langston and Timothy Balducci, pled guilty to paying Peters $1 million to influence DeLaughter.
To date, no charges have been brought against Peters.