Richard F Scruggs

Over the years, Richard F. "Dickie" Scruggs earned a reputation as one of the nation's wiliest and most powerful plaintiff's attorneys. Along the way he was hailed as a champion of the little guy. He was also derided as a scoundrel who would stoop as low as necessary to get his way -- and fatten his bank account. On Friday, his critics rested their case in the court of public opinion.

There were women in pearls, men in seersucker -- enough well-heeled Mississippians to conjure up a charity auction or summer fete. They were crowded Friday into a small wood-paneled federal courtroom behind a long line of sober, dark-suited attorneys to watch Richard F. "Dickie" Scruggs, a legendary plaintiffs' attorney, receive a five-year prison sentence after pleading guilty in March to conspiring to bribe a judge.

He is a legendary trial lawyer, and one of the richest men in Mississippi. His name graces the music building at his alma mater, Ole Miss. He is the brother-in-law of Republican Sen. Trent Lott, and a friend of the Democratic state attorney general. Attorney Richard F. "Dickie" Scruggs once vowed to use his expertise, stature and money to fight the insurance industry's alleged mishandling of homeowners' claims after Hurricane Katrina. But now he may be fighting for his freedom.

A lawyer has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to bribe a judge and is assisting federal prosecutors in a case involving a prominent trial attorney, according to court documents. Timothy Balducci entered the plea late Tuesday after initially pleading not guilty. According to court papers, Balducci was accused of delivering $40,000 to a judge at the behest of lawyer Richard "Dickie" Scruggs for a favorable ruling in a civil case.