Sentencing for Mississippi Attorneys Moved to June 27

Sentencing is moved up for Mississippi trial lawyer Richard “Dickie” Scruggs and one other lawyer in a judicial bribery case.

U.S. District Judge Neal Biggers Jr. on June 3 granted Scruggs’ request to change the date from July 2 to June 27.

Scruggs said his attorney, John Keker, is representing another client in a trial set to start July 1 in Los Angeles.

Prosecutors have recommended a five-year prison sentence for Scruggs, who pleaded guilty March 14 to conspiring to bribe a state judge.

Sidney A. Backstrom, another lawyer in the Scruggs’ firm, will be sentenced at the same time. Backstrom pleaded guilty March 14 to conspiracy.

Scruggs’ son and law partner, Zach Scruggs, pleaded guilty March 21 to a federal charge of misprision of a felony for failing to report a plot to bribe a judge. His sentencing date remains July 2.