Judge "Maximum Neal" Biggers today sentenced Zach Scruggs to 14 months in prison for his role in the Scruggs Bribery Scandal. Actually, it was not the maximum he could have received -- three years was the max. According to this Associated Press story by Holbrook Mohr, the younger Scruggs seemed surprised. Here is a transcript of Zach Scruggs' sentencing hearing, at the website of the Sun Herald, and you may note when you read it that Zach was represented by suspected Trailer Lawyer Todd Graves. (Unconfirmed rumors were that Graves arrived at the courthouse in a single-wide pulled by a 1986 Jeep Cherokee with rust colorations, and was met by a State Farm band of pipers playing "Bye Bye Trailer Lawyer Pie." I'm still checking this out).Also pres

Of great interest to the insurance industry, statistics indicate that distractions such as talking on a cell phone have a direct impact on auto accidents (and insurance premiums). According to an article in Insurance Journal (see here): The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported in April that 25 percent of all car accidents are caused by distractions. A survey done by Nationwide Mutual Insurance in 2007 indicated that 73 percent of drivers talk on cell phones while driving...

Judge "Maximum Neal" Biggers sentenced Dickie Scruggs to five years in prison, the most Scruggs could receive under his plea agreement. According to this story in the Sun Herald, Scruggs finally came forward with an apology:Before sentencing, Scruggs told the judge, "I could not be more ashamed to be where I am today. I realized I was getting mixed up in it and I will go to my grave wondering why. I have disappointed everyone in my life - my wife, family and friends here to support me today. I deeply regret my conduct. It is a scar and a stain on my soul." Scruggs had asked for a sentence of only 30 months, but Biggers, solidifying his reputation as someone who is not to be messed with, called Scruggs out and knocked him around pretty good, as th

I've been reading some of the excerpts from the treasure trove of letters asking the Court for leniency in the Scruggs sentencing tomorrow. And after reading them, I've had a change of heart. You know what I say? He's suffered enough, just let him go! I mean, lighten up a little here, let's not get all harsh, let's not go all Torquemada on the dude! Just kidding. And now back to reality.Here's a link to the Sun Herald story with the excerpts -- you remember it was the Sun Herald who did the quick thinking and filed a motion with Judge Biggers asking to see the letters in the public interest. My overall impression: about what I expected. Scruggs has done a lot of good things for certain people, I'm sure, although I don't find that very relevant to what is going on with his sent

As the world turns. It had almost completely slipped my mind that Dickie Scruggs was to be sentenced this Friday, until I talked with Alan Lange of Y'All Politics yesterday. With Katrina cases winding down and the Scruggster getting measured for a tailored orange jumpsuit, I admit my attention has begun to wander, but it's been difficult to find something as interesting to talk about. Last time I had this feeling was when the Soviet Union fell. You remember that? Everyone was just standing around looking at each other. They're gone? Dang, who do we oppose now?Thanks to readers for sending along stories about the upcoming sentencing. Sorry that my time has been so restricted, responding to emails has been hit and miss lately, I know. As you might have heard, on Friday Judge Big

A recent Business Insurance article on reporting D&O claims provides an excellent review of a claim reporting problem that could arise prior to an actual claim being made. Not only does this issue apply to D&O claims, it exists with most other types of professional liability claims. As noted in the article, virtually all D&O (and other professional liability) policies allow for the reporting of a situation which could lead to a claim prior to an actual claim being made,...

Team Scruggs just can't catch a break these days. Disappointingly, Judge Senter refused to overturn his disqualification of the Trailer Lawyers from the False Claims Act case (question: which side is it that's makes the false claims? Remind me). This means an end to hilarious Trailer Lawyer briefs and antics, an end to angry Trailer Lawyer denunciations of "Snake" Farm, an end to alibis featuring Goofy and Minnie Mouse. In short, this drains a lot of enjoyment out of this vale of tears, but we will soldier on nonetheless. Farewell noble Trailer Lawyers, we will miss you, and we offer a complimentary bag of Doritos, a six-pack of Schlitz and an archive edition of The Weekly World News ("Pointed Hat Found Within Lincoln's Stovepipe: Abe Was A Witch!&q

I guess the theory is that regulators know perfection when they see it. And have the wisdom and detachment from mundane concerns like politics and pressure to deliver it. At least that seems to be the thinking behind Senate Bill 1522. Under this legislation, introduced by Senator Darrell Steinberg, California regulators would establish five classes of [...]

The Sun Herald of Biloxi, according to this story, has filed a motion in federal court to get copies of the letters people are writing to ask for leniency for Dickie Scruggs, Zach Scruggs and Sid Backstrom, at their upcoming sentencing. This is a great idea, I wish I had thought of it myself. Here's a copy of the motion. I'm curious to see how many of the letters take a tone like "Hey, what's the big deal about a little earwigging?"

A curious kerfuffle in the McIntosh v. State Farm case. Yesterday Cori Rigsby filed an emergency motion seeking to have the Court modify its order dealing with production of certain of her computer records to State Farm. I read over the motion a couple times, and it's somewhat confusing, but apparently among the records to be produced are several things that have alarmed Cori Rigsby greatly, leading to this emergency motion. What all these records are, one cannot tell from the motion, but the motion does say that among the records that should not be produced to State Farm are, evidently, some of the claims files that were illicitly taken in the Trailer Lawyer and Data Dump days. Amusingly, the motion says production of these records to State Farm -- which are under an injunctive o