Report Reveals DeLaughter-Peters Connections In Eaton Case

Eaton v. Frisby is a civil trade secrets case not directly related to Dickie Scruggs as far as we know, but it came to light as a result of what’s now known as the “Scruggs II” case. It’s under investigation by the FBI in connection with public corruption allegations against Hinds County Circuit Judge Bobby DeLaughter and former Hinds County DA Ed Peters. Frisby maintains that DeLaughter started ruling in favor of Eaton once Peters secretly entered the case on behalf of Eaton.

In a Monday Clarion Ledger story, Jimmie Gates reports on a report filed under seal earlier this month by David Dogan III. Dogan was appointed Special Master in the case after an earlier turn of events we covered here, when DeLaughter removed the first special master under suspicious circumstances and the replacement special master resigned.

In the report, Dogan asserts that Peters maintained improper contact with DeLaughter and recommends that emails and documents showing the communication be produced in connection with the lawsuit.

The documents to be produced show a design, and in certain cases direct evidence, of engaging in contact with Judge DeLaughter on an ex parte basis. Such conduct is not permissible and is, as a matter of law, improper.

In addition to the federal investigation, DeLaughter is the subject of a continuing investigation by the Mississippi Judicial Performance Commission, which suspended him with pay. Circuit Judge Swan Yerger is now handling the lawsuit.