Bobby DeLaughter

On March 28, 2008, DeLaughter was suspended from the bench indefinitely by the Mississippi Supreme Court due to allegations of bribery and judicial misconduct. DeLaughter pleaded not guilty on February 12, 2009 to a five-count federal indictment; these charges were linked to the criminal investigation of disgraced tort attorney Richard Scruggs. He later pleaded guilty on July 30, 2009 to one obstruction of justice charge. DeLaughter was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison on November 13, 2009 for the obstruction of justice charge he pleaded guilty to on July 30, 2009. The sentence was imposed by Judge Glen Davidson and is in keeping with the recommendation of his plea agreement. Judge Davidson did not impose a financial penalty on DeLaughter due to his negative net worth. His incarceration began January 4, 2010.