Scruggs II: Ed Peters Surrenders Law License, Forfeits Alleged Bribe Proceeds

With Joey Langston sentenced, the other shoe is about to drop in Scruggs II. On Tuesday, WLBT reported that former Hinds County DA Ed Peters has surrendered his law license. Tuesday evening, NMC at folo posted (.pdf) an order from US Magistrate Judge S. Allan Alexander seizing $425,000 from Peters; the funds are already in the possession of the United States Marshals Service:

The court is satisfied that based on the Verified Complaint For Forfeiture In Rem, as well as the Verification of the Complaint by Samuel D. Wright, Assistant United States Attorney for the Northern District of Mississippi, United States Department of Justice, filed with this court on December 31, 2008, there is probable cause to believe that the Defendant property is subject to forfeiture pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 981(a)(1)(c) because it is property that constitutes or is derived from proceeds traceable to violations of 18 U.S.C. § 1343 (Wire Fraud), which constitutes a “specified unlawful activity” by virtue of 18 U.S.C. § 1956 (c)(7)(A) and 18 U.S.C. § 1961 (1), collectively.

The Daily Journal has more here on the underlying complaint. Nothing has been announced yet, but it’s apparent that Peters has reached a plea agreement with federal prosecutors. This means that the hammer is about to drop on Judge Bobby DeLaughter and (again) on Dickie Scruggs. Will Scruggs II also ensnare Trent Lott and the mysterious P.L. Blake? Stay tuned.