Tag: Scruggs I

“Merry Christmas” Grady – FBI agent Hal Neilson files suit against authors of “The Kings of Tort”

The prosecutors, who had concealed the investigation carefully, felt it would be important to go public with a post-indictment press conference to maintain an advantage in the running narrative…At the press conference, U.S. Attorney Jim Greenlee elaborated on a few details of the case…

One of those attending the press conference was not a reporter at all, but Scruggs’s adversary Grady Tollison, who listened with satisfaction as the prosecutors tightened their grip on Scruggs.  At one point, Dawson, the lead prosecutor, leaned toward Tollison and whispered, “Merry Christmas“. (Page 243, Fall of the House of Zeus)

This past Wednesday, SLABBED reported Patsy Brumfield’s breaking news NEMS360 reports a Merry Christmas for FBI Agent Hal Neilson and followed with the update It’s Official – Government files Motion to Dismiss case against FBI Agent Hal Neilson.

“Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse” until Neilson filled in for Santa and filed suit against Grady’s buddy Tom Dawson – Neilson sues Dawson, Lange, ‘Tort’ publisher for alleged lies in book..

Specifically, the book claims that Plaintiff Neilson was untrustworthy and Defendant Dawson, in agreement with two co-conspirators Jim Greenlee and John Hailman, conspired to have Neilson removed from an important case because of his untrustworthiness.

This “important case” was the Government’s case against Dick Scruggs that eventually became know as not one but two – Scruggs I (USA v Scruggs) and Scruggs II (USA v Delaughter).

Not even Santa could make up what’s likely to turn up during the discovery phase of Neilson v Dawson! Continue reading ““Merry Christmas” Grady – FBI agent Hal Neilson files suit against authors of “The Kings of Tort””

Absolutely amazing – What you can learn reading Wilkie’s “Fall of the House of Zeus”

In an interview with Tupelo journalist Patsy Brumfield appearing on Sunday’s NEMS360.com, “Zeus” author Curtis Wilke said,

“There were any number of subplots in the book that could be developed into bigger stories. I chose to concentrate on the Johnny Jones suit and the approach to Judge Lackey in order to keep a strong focus on one case. So Scruggs II, as the prosecutors called it, the case that sent Bobby DeLaughter to prison, does not get a full treatment in “Zeus.”

Wilke’s snapshot of Scruggs II, however, is more than sufficient for readers to see the big picture of the case and the influence it had on the outcome of Scruggs I.  A pretty picture it is not but it confirmed what had previously been rumored:  the legal team  representing Scruggs, Scruggs and Backstrom held a “mini-mock trial…to evaluate the strength of the prosecution’s case” – an exercise described on pages 293-294 as producing “unhappy results”:

“the defense…[of the charges related to the bribery of Judge Lackey]…had been overwhelmed  by the introduction of the second case….[the alleged bribery of Judge DeLaughter]…and the suggestion that Scruggs had a history of bribing judges.” (pg. 294)

Allegations of the bribery of Judge DeLaughter first surfaced in the Grand Jury testimony of Tim Balducci:

“Balducci’s information not only imperiled Langston and Peters, it exposed Scruggs to a second charge of bribing a judge.  This opened the door for the government to use the 404(b) provision to show that Scruggs had a predilection for criminal behavior.” (page 264)

However, during a hearing on the Scruggs motion to dismisss Scruggs I charges against Scruggs, Scruggs and Backstrom, attorney John Keker had a brief opportunity to cross-examine Balducci and “pounced on inconsistencies”: Continue reading “Absolutely amazing – What you can learn reading Wilkie’s “Fall of the House of Zeus””