Update: Lott's Brother-In-Law Indicted

Possible new light on the sudden announcement that Sen. Trent Lott (R-MS) plans to retire before year's end. His brother-in-law, Richard "Dickie" Scruggs, was indicted on bribery charges Wednesday.

The 13-page indictment (pdf) details "a bribery overture" ($40,000) made to Judge Henry L. Lackey; Lackey reported the act to the FBI.

Lackey's court was overseeing a claim against Scruggs over the "division of $26.5 million dollars in attorneys' fees." The case involved State Farm insurance settlement funds in Katrina claims. Scruggs represented Lott in his recovery fight; Lott has not been mentioned by the grand jury.

The grand jury also indicted his son, Zach Scruggs; Scruggs law firm attorney Sidney A. Backstrom; attorney Timothy Balducci; and former state auditor Steve Patterson.

Now we have one more possible reason for Lott to step down.

See American Enterprise Institute analysis of the lawsuit against State Farm.