Granted, this is just an anecdote, but it is hard for me to believe that, if this could go on for years, it is the only actual case of corruption in the state (or in many other states).

According to the Hattiesburg American headline, “Attorney Minor, two judges to be sentenced Thursday.” The Attorney, Paul Minor, was first charged with bribery in 2003. He and the two judges were found guilty of eleven counts.

Minor was convicted of guaranteeing $140,000 in loans to Whitfield in 1998, then using cash, a third party and a backdated promissory note to try to conceal the fact that Minor paid off the loan. Whitfield awarded Minor’s client $3.6 million in a lawsuit. The Mississippi Supreme Court later reduced the award to $1.6 million.

Minor was also accused of guaranteeing a loan of $24,500 to Teel the same year. Prosecutors said Teel “forced through” a $1.5 million settlement in one of Minor’s cases before his court.

Why is this relevant to medmal concerns? Because, according to the story,

Paul Minor, who amassed a fortune from asbestos, tobacco, medical malpractice and car safety litigation, was found guilty in March on charges ranging from racketeering to bribery. He faces up to 95 years in prison when he is sentenced by U.S. District Judge Henry T. Wingate.