I’ve been following the developments on the Dickie Scruggs case on lotus’ blog–and recommend it for anyone wanting to follow along. But since we’ve got so many connoisseurs of timelines around these parts, I wanted to link directly to one lotus links to–on David Rossmiller’s blog. The timeline is particularly helpful in pinpointing what kind of wiretap the government used when; Rossmiller concludes that the government never tapped the Scruggs’ firm.
Here’s just one taste–click through for the complete timeline.
- May 9-September 21. Balducci has several meetings with Lackey. Indictment. May 9 and September 21 meetings between Balducci and Lackey were taped via video and audio. Defense motion. It is logical for us to assume that any other meetings between the two were also recorded.
- September 21. At a meeting with Lackey, Balducci agreed to pay Lackey $40,000 cash on behalf of Dickie Scruggs and the Scruggs Law Firm for a favorable order. Indictment. Immediately after the Lackey meeting, Balducci placed a four-minute call to the Scruggs firm and discussed the bribery transaction with Backstrom. Indictment.
- September 25. FBI Special Agent William P. Delaney makes an application for a Title III wiretap. Government response.
- September 26. A call made from Balducci’s phone at 10:11 p.m. is recorded. Defense motion. The recording of the call ended abruptly because Balducci was talking to his father about unrelated matters and the government did not record this. Government response.
- September 27. Patterson had a conversation with Balducci discussing the bribe. Balducci delivered $20,000 in cash to Lackey in the judge’s chambers, then traveled to the Scruggs firm in Oxford. Balducci had a phone conversation with Patterson where Balducci said "All is done, all is handled and all is well." Indictment. A call was made from Balducci’s phone at 8:36 a.m. This was recorded. Defense motion. The call broke up abruptly because Balducci lost cell phone service. Government response.