Ellington

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — The full 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has refused to hear an appeal from Zach Scruggs, who was implicated as having knowledge of a judicial corruption scheme that toppled his father, plaintiffs' lawyer Richard "Dickie" Scruggs.

A three-judge panel of the New Orleans in August upheld Zach Scruggs conviction. He asked the full court to hear the case. The full court refused in an Oct. 1 order.

The younger Scruggs, a law partner with his father, pleaded guilty to failing to report a conspiracy to improperly influence a judge in a dispute with other lawyers over $26.5 million in legal fees.

He served a 14-month prison sentence and also lost his law license and paid a $250,000 fine.

Richard Scruggs and three others were convicted in the bribery scheme.