Watchdog Commission Seeks To Suspend DeLaughter

Two developments regarding corruption allegations against Judge Bobby DeLaughter in cases involving Dickie Scruggs:

First: In response to William Roberts Wilson’s recusal motion (earlier), DeLaughter and the two other circuit judges have recused themselves: Wilson v. Scruggs Recusal (h/t folo). But unlike Judges Kidd and Yerger, DeLaughter saw fit to editorialize and proclaim his innocence:

The undersigned judge of this Court has never, in this or any other case, issued a ruling in exchange or consideration of anything (money or otherwise) other than the applicable law, all allegations to the contrary being belied by the record.

The record? It is precisely because of what allegedly transpired off the record that he is under investigation.

Second: The Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance on Wednesday filed a petition with the Mississippi Supreme Court to suspend DeLaughter based upon actions he took which were allegedly under the corrupt influence of Ed Peters on behalf of Dickie Scruggs in Wilson v. Scruggs, according to the guilty plea of Joey Langston; and also in the case of Kirk v. Pope, one of two other known cases which did not involve Scruggs but which did involve the intercession of Ed Peters. Commission v. DeLaughter. The petition contains specific details of the alleged violations. The Sun-Herald has an AP story here.