Wilson Moves To Reopen Scruggs Asbestos Fee Case

Wilson v. Scruggs is the state asbestos fees case in which Joey Langston has pleaded guilty to a federal count of bribing Hinds Circuit Judge Bobby DeLaughter in 2006 to rule in favor of Dickie Scruggs despite his special master’s recommendation that $15 million be awarded to William Roberts Wilson. It had previously been reported that the case had been settled and that DeLaughter had recused himself in January from any cases involving Scruggs.

However, a motion for recusal made on Tuesday by attorneys for Wilson asserts that the case “has never had any final judgment or order filed closing same” and further, that DeLaughter has “failed to recuse himself in this matter, a failure which was more likely than not an oversight on his part.” The motion asks that DeLaughter and all other judges in the district recuse themselves and that the chief justice of the Mississippi Supreme Court appoint a judge to hear any future matters in the case. In support of the motion, two transcripts were attached in support of the motion: Langston’s guilty plea and Timothy Balducci’s testimony in the February 20 US v. Scruggs hearing. Wilson Recusal Motion. Clarion-Ledger story here.