Ed Peters gives up law license - MSNewsNow.com - Jackson, MS

Jackson 01/06/2009

Ed Peters gives up law license

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By Julie Straw - bio | email

JACKSON, MS (WLBT) - A former Hinds County District Attorney will never practice law again.  Ed Peters has given up his law license after a complaint was filed with the Mississippi Bar Association against him.

The complaint against Peters came about nine months ago.  Who brought the complaint to the Mississippi Bar Association?  All the details remain confidential, but it was enough for Peters to decide not to fight it.

"His filing of that resignation acts as an admission of guilt regarding the underlying bar complaint that is currently pending against him," said Adam Kilgore, General Counsel with the Mississippi Bar Association.

This comes admidst allegations that the former Hinds County District Attorney was involved in a judicial bribery scheme.  One year ago Joey Langston pleaded guilty to conspiring to corruptly influence Hinds County Circuit Court Judge Bobby Delaughter on attorney Richard "Dickie" Scruggs behalf.  Former state auditor Steve Patterson also pleaded guilty to conspiring to bribe an elected state official.  Langston says Scruggs alledgedly paid Peters, a million dollars to help influence Delaughter in a dispute over $15 million in legal fees for asbestos litigations.

There are other judgements where Peters is suspected of inlfuencing Delaughter's rulings. The judge has been suspended of his duties since March.

"The commission's recommendation for interim suspension is based upon two civil cases here in Hinds County which Mr. Peters had some involvement," said Brant Brantley, Executive Director of the Mississippi Commission for Judicial Performance.

Delaughter worked as Assistant District Attorney during part of Peters three decade career as Hinds County DA.  Neither one has been charged with a crime.  If the Supreme Court accepts Peters' resignations, ""Mr. Peters will forever be barred from practicing law and will not be able to apply for reinstatement," said Kilgore.