Hood Takes Leave Of Senses; State Farm Attorney “Accidentally” Responds

Given his track record, it is unsurprising that Mississippi AG Jim Hood would try to spin State Farm’s victory into a defeat. First he sent a stooge going by the name “bellesouth” to troll blogs that had been critical of him, trying to claim that Hood had prevailed. Then on Monday in a Clarion-Ledger op-ed (here) Hood stated, “In fact, allegations lodged against me by this insurer were shown to be false when a federal judge recently threw out a lawsuit it had filed against my office;” and on Tuesday his media spokeswoman Jan Schaefer claimed in an emailed press release that “There is no ’settlement’” and repeated Hood’s outrageous claim that State Farm’s allegations were false. This despite the fact that US District Judge David Bramlette’s order clearly refers to a settlement, and equally important, that he dismissed the case after specifically ruling that the previous non-prosecution agreement between State Farm and Hood “is a standalone agreement, unambiguous and enforceable between the Mississippi Attorney General on behalf of the State of Mississippi and State Farm…” (Judge Bramlette’s Order) — which is exactly the ruling that State Farm sought and Hood opposed.

Late Tuesday, an attorney for State Farm — Sheila L. Birnbaum, a partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom — sent an email to colleagues in response to Schaefer’s email, writing “This is so over the top. Can we ask that he be held in contempt of court for misrepresenting a settlement agreement and order of the court.” However, Ms. Birnbaum “accidentally” sent copies of the email to Schaefer and more than a dozen reporters who had received the original press release. Judge Bramlette declined immediate comment. Forbes/AP story here.

Hood also addressed the Clarion-Ledger editorial board (video, text published on Monday) and offered excuses for not prosecuting his cronies who are now under federal indictment or have pleaded guilty.