Petitioner moves for summary judgment on all of the claims raised by his Petition, or partial
summary judgment on any of those claims. “The basic mission of the summary judgment
procedure is to allow the court to pierce the pleadings and assess the proof … serv[ing] a
valuable function in winnowing the grain from the chaff,” so the Court can be sure that
“litigation concerns itself with real issues.” Gauck v. Meleski, 346 F.2d 433, 436 (5th Cir., 1965)
This is a unique case, given that the Government has itself tacitly admitted that Petitioner had
no involvement in bribery, and former prosecutors themselves admit that the Government misled
the Court in a way that materially affected the Petitioner’s case. There is no real dispute about
these issues; no real dispute that the Petitioner is actually innocent and that his constitutional
I. LEGAL STANDARD
The Federal Courts routinely use the Rule 56 summary judgment procedure in the context of
post-conviction proceedings under Sections 2254, 2255, and coram nobis (as here). See e.g.,
Busby v. Dretke, 359 F.3d 708 (5th Cir., 2004) (affirming district court’s grant of summary
judgment in a Section 2254 case); U.S. v. Flores, 135 F.3d 1000, 1002 (5th Cir., 1998) (affirming
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district court’s grant of summary judgment in a Section 2255 case, where the trial court found
Trominski, 91 F.3d 767, 768 (5th Cir., 1996) (affirming district court’s grant of summary
The Fifth Circuit has recently reiterated the standard for summary judgment as follows:
A court “shall grant summary judgment if the movant shows that there is no
genuine dispute as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a
matter of law.’ An issue as to a material fact is genuine “if the evidence is such
that a reasonable jury could return a verdict for the nonmoving party.” [The
Court should] consider all evidence “in the light most favorable to the party
resisting the motion.”
Seacor Holdings, Inc. v. Commonwealth Ins. Co., --- F.3d ----, 2000 WL 35832322, *3 (5th Cir.,
2011) (quoting Fed.R.Civ.Proc. 56(a), citing Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 322-23,
(1986), quoting Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc ., 477 U.S. 242, 248 (1986), and quoting Trevino
v. Celanese Corp., 701 F.2d 397, 407 (5th Cir.1983)). A party may prevail on summary
judgment, even if he bears the ultimate burden of proof. See e.g., Resolution Trust Corp. v.
Starkey, 41 F.3d 1018, 1023-24 (5th Cir., 1995) (affirming summary judgment for plaintiff); Tuft
v. Texas , Slip Copy, 2011 WL 72198, *1 (5th Cir., 2011)(defendant prevailed on summary
judgment on affirmative defense); Lane v. Doe , Slip Copy, 2010 WL 4272680 (5 th Cir.,
2010)(same).
If the Government opposes the Motion by alleging that the material facts are genuinely
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Fed. R. Civ. Proc. 56(c)(1). In making this showing the Government cannot rely upon
inadmissible evidence such as hearsay, conclusory allegations, or expert opinions that lack a
scientific foundation. Id., at (c)(1)(B), (c)(2). Hayter v. City of Mt. Vernon, 154 F.3d 269, 274
(5th Cir.1998) (holding that “affidavits setting forth ‘ultimate or conclusory facts and
conclusions of law’ are insufficient to either support or defeat a motion for summary
judgment[,]” and that “[w]ithout more than credentials and a subjective opinion, an expert's
testimony that ‘it is so’ is not admissible.” (quoting Orthopedic & Sports Injury Clinic v. Wang
Lab., Inc., 922 F.2d 220, 225 (5th Cir.1991). And, simply gesturing towards a future hearing
will not suffice. In the case of Pelotto v. L & N Towing Co., the Fifth Circuit explained:
There is no genuine dispute as to the following material facts. Several of these facts are
1. Conspiracy
1.1. When Petitioner met on March 15, 2007 with Tim Balducci, Steve Patterson,
Richard Scruggs, and Sid Backstrom, they did not make any agreement to commit
a crime.
3
Evidence: Government Admission, Petition Exh. “B” 2/20/2008 Hearing at 16:20 (Robert
Norman: “We want to be the first to say, there was no mention of money at the March 15th
meeting of the Scruggs Law Firm when these three defendants were present with Tim Balducci
and Steve Patterson. These defendants wanted to corruptly influence the judge for free. … Your
Honor, at that first meeting [with Judge Lackey] Mr. Balducci attempted to influence the Judge
and said, I’d consider it a personal favor if you would enter an order in favor of the Scruggs Law
Firm. Illegal by itself? No. Unethical? The kind of unethical conduct that would get a lawyer
Materiality: The fact that there was no agreement to commit a crime means that there was no
conspiracy at that point in time. “Conspiracy is an inchoate offense, the essence of which is an
agreement to commit an unlawful act.” Iannelli v. United States, 420 U.S. 770, 777 (1975); “The
unlawful agreement contemplated precisely what was done. It was formed for the purpose.”
Pinkerton v. U.S., 328 U.S. 640, 647 (1946); “[T]he mere fact persons have associated with each
other to discuss common aims and interests does not necessarily establish the existence of a
conspiracy.” U.S. v. Boruff, 909 F.2d 111, 118 (5th Cir., 1990).
1.2. Prior to the Indictment, Petitioner had no knowledge that Judge Lackey demanded
a payment of money for doing his job or that Balducci agreed to pay him.
Evidence: Petition Exh. “X”, Hearing Tr. 3/21/2008 at 15 (Under oath, Petitioner expressly
asserted that he lacked any knowledge of bribery, and on this point the prosecutors stated no
disagreement.) ; Petition Exh. “A,” Sentencing Hearing Tr., 7/2/08 at 8:23-24 (the Court merely
1
See also Petition Exh. “L”, Richard Scruggs Plea Hearing Tr., 3/14/08 at 15:16-16:4 (no initial intent to bribe);
Petition Exh. “M”, Patterson Plea Hearing Tr. 1/15/08 at 9 (same). Petition Exh. “K”, Testim ony of M r. Balducci at
17:5-6, 37:24-25; 58:5-13; 54:10-13 (“H e w asn’t “there to bribe him.”); See Petition Exh. “N”, Lafayette County
Circuit Court Hearing Tr. at 61-63 (Judge Lackey confirms that Balducci did not mention anything about money
during that initial visit).
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speculating that Backstrom must have told Petitioner, implicitly acknowledging that there was no
Materiality: Petitioner could not join a bribery conspiracy that he did not know existed.
U.S. v. Delgado, 631 F.3d 685, 695 (5th Cir., 2011) (requiring that the government prove, at the
very least, that the defendant knew about the criminal purpose of the agreement).
and specific intent to join any alleged conspiracy to bribe Judge Henry Lackey.
Evidence: . See multiple government concessions that “all the facts and circumstances of
which merited only a probated sentence. Petition Exh. “X”, Hearing Tr. 3/21/2008 at 8 (Mr.
Sanders). Petitioner Exh. “A”, Hearing Tr. at 5 (Mr. Dawson). The Government’s own
policies prohibited them from dismissing the bribery charges, if they could have proven that the
Petitioner had a role in bribery. See Petition, D.E. 303 at 18-19 (quoting DOJ policies).
Materiality: The Government (and the Court) has emphasized that the Petitioner must have
known about the Government’s bribery scheme. Even if that were true, “it is axiomatic that
more is required than mere knowledge of the purpose of a conspiracy.” Delgado, 631 F.3d at
695. “Willful participation is an essential element of the crime of conspiracy; mere knowledge of
a conspiracy does not itself make a person a conspirator.” United States v. Maloof, 205 F.3d 819,
830 (5th Cir., 2000). “Juries must not be allowed to convict on mere suspicion and innuendo…
We will not lightly infer a defendant's knowledge and acquiescence in a conspiracy. … The
government must show beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant had the deliberate,
knowing, and specific intent to join the conspiracy.” U.S. v. Jackson, 700 F.2d 181, 185 (5th
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Cir., 1983). 2 It is notable that the any purported agreement between Petitioner and Balducci does
not suffice. “It is axiomatic that a conspiracy conviction may not rest on an ‘agreement’ with a
government informer. ‘[A]s it takes two to conspire, there can be no indictable conspiracy with a
government informer who secretly intends to frustrate the conspiracy.’” Delgado, 631 F.3d at
694 (quoting Sears v. United States, 343 F.2d 139, 142 (5th Cir. 1965)). 3
2.1. Presiding over the Jones case, Judge Henry Lackey had no connection with any
Evidence: See Whitfield v. U.S ., 590 F.3d 325, 347(5th Cir., 2009) (finding this fact in
another case involving a civil dispute in Mississippi state court, which is in all material respects
Materiality: This is an essential element of the Government’s Section 666 charges. Id.
3.1. Even if Petitioner had learned about a payment of money to Judge Lackey, he
2
See also United States v. Tenorio, 360 F.3d 491, 495 (5th Cir., 2004) (An individual's “[m]ere presence at the
scene of a crime or close association with a co-conspirator will not support an inference of participation in a
conspiracy.”); Fifth Cir. Pattern Jury Instr. 2.20 (same); U.S. v. Velgar-Vivero , 8 F.3d 236, 241 (5th Cir., 1993) (“It
is not enough ... that the evidence places the defendant in a climate of activity that reeks of something foul.”)
3
If the Government could show that Petitioner joined a conspiracy, they w ould then have to prove that some
mem ber of that conspiracy (not merely a government informer) took an action in furtherance thereof; a mere
agreem ent does not suffice. See 18 U.S.C.A. § 371 (applying only “if … one or more of such persons do any act to
effect the object of the conspiracy”); Cacace v. U.S., 590 F.2d 1339, 1340 n1 (5th Cir., 1979) (stating this rule).
6
Evidence: Dean, Witter, Reynolds, Inc. v. Byrd, 470 U.S. 213, 218 (1985) (The Federal
Arbitration Act “leaves no place for the exercise of discretion by a district court, but instead
mandates that district courts shall direct the parties to proceed to arbitration …”); Barrett v.
Jones , 27 So.2d 363, 376 (Miss. 2009) (ordering arbitration in this very case); Petition Exh. “J”,
5/09/07 Recording Tr. at 26 (Judge Lackey on tape responding to Balducci asking if he thought
the matter “ought to be arbitrated”: “It does. It does. It looks, it looks uh, uh, uh, like that’s
what they agreed to do.”); Petition Exh. “V”, PSR at ¶26 (showing that Judge Lackey had
already provided a signed order compelling arbitration prior to the November 1 tape); Petition
Exh. “N”, Lafayette Co. Ct. Hearing Tx., at 76-80 (Balducci never offered the Judge any money
in exchange for official action); Petition Exh. “K”, Balducci Testimony at 72:12-73:25 (in his
demand for money, Judge Lackey appealed to his personal friendship with Balducci and a
desperate need to pay off some debts); Exh. “P”, 9/18/07 Recording Tr. at 7 (same).
Materiality: After Skilling v. U.S, honest services fraud must be predicated on bribery or
kickback. 130 S.Ct. 2896 (2010). Not every improper payment of money to an official is a
bribe; some are gratuities. For bribery there must be a specific, subjective intent to use the
money to “influence” the official action. Id.; 18 USC §201(b). Even a statement that “we’re
payin’ for it” does not suffice to show such an intent to, because “payments to a public official
for acts that would have been performed in any event … are probably illegal gratuities rather
than bribes.” U.S. v. Campbell , 684 F.2d 141, 148 (D.C. Cir., 1982) (emphasis added).
Distinguishing gratuities from bribes, the Supreme Court has said, “An illegal gratuity … may
constitute merely a reward for some future act that the public official will take (and may already
have determined to take)[.]” U.S. v. Sun-Diamond Growers of California, 526 U.S. 398, 405
(1999). Likewise, in United States v. Brumley, the Fifth Circuit held that, “Stated directly, the
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official must act or fail to act contrary to the requirements of his job under state law. This means
that if the official does all that is required under state law, alleging that the services were not
otherwise done ‘honestly’ does not charge a violation of the mail fraud statute. … Thus, the mere
th
violation of a gratuity statute… will not suffice.” 116 F.3d 728, 734 (5 Cir, 1997). Given that
Judge Lackey had no discretion to deny arbitration, it is even clearer that the “influence”
requirement of bribery is unmet here. U.S. v. Marmolejo, 89 F.3d 1185, 1195 n.14 (5th Cir.,
1996) (holding that payments to jailers for conjugal visits were bribes precisely because jailors
had “discretion” to refuse to allow the visits, based on jail policies). Likewise, the Fifth Circuit
has held that it is not bribery for the Government to pay a witness to testify, as long as the
payment does not change the substance of the testimony. U.S. v Partin, 552 F2d 621, 642 (5th
Cir., 1977), cert den 434 US 903. Here, the payment did not change the substance of Judge
4. Government Misrepresentation
4.1. On February 21, 2008, the Government falsely represented to Petitioner and the
Court that: “The testimony at trial from Mr. Langston would … implicate Zach
Scruggs. Joey Langston is prepared to testify that Zach Scruggs was fully aware of
Evidence: Petition Exh. “B”, Hearing Tr., 2/21/2008 at 21:15:20 (emphasis added). As to
the falsity of the representation, see Petition Exh. “F”, Langston Affidavit, 4/27/10 at 5 (denying
that representation); Petition Exh. “D”, Sanders Affidavit, 4/22/10 at 3 (also denying that
representation).
8
Materiality: “Misrepresentation or other impermissible conduct by state agents” can make
vulnerable “a voluntary plea of guilty,” and thereby impinge due process. Brady v. U.S., 397
unfulfillable promise, or misrepresentation to enter a plea of guilty does not meet the standard for
voluntariness articulated by the Supreme Court. Such renders a plea involuntary.” U.S. v.
Amaya, 111 F.3d 386, 389 (5th Cir., 1997). To put it another way, “the Government ought not
be allowed to lure the defendant into a plea on false information.” U.S. v. Battle , 447 F.2d 950,
951 (5th Cir., 1971). “Of course, the federal courts have power to investigate whether a
judgment was obtained by fraud and make whatever modification is necessary, at any time.” U.S.
4.2. The Government knew that the representation was false, at the time when the
Evidence: Petition Exh. “F”, Langston Affidavit, 4/27/10 at 5 (saying that “all” of his
“statements regarding Zach were exculpatory”); Petition Exh. “D”, Sanders Affidavit, 4/22/10 at
3 (saying that Langston “always maintained that Zach was uninvolved in the Wilson matter”).
Materiality: The knowledge of any one prosecutor suffices. “It is well settled that if a
member of the prosecution team has knowledge of Brady material, such knowledge is imputed to
the prosecutors.” Avila v. Quarterman, 560 F.3d 299. 308 (5th Cir., 2009); Giglio v. U.S., 405
U.S. 150, 154 (1972)(“The prosecutor's office is an entity and as such it is the spokesman for the
Government. A promise made by one attorney must be attributed, for these purposes, to the
Government. [The Government must] insure communication of all relevant information on each
9
case to every lawyer who deals with it.”)
Evidence: The Court entered three Orders materially adverse to Petitioner based on and
even citing Mr. Langston’s purported testimony against Petitioner. See D.E. 134 at 1, 3 (denying
motion to exclude under Rule 404b), D.E. 132 at 4 (denying motion to sever from Richard
Scruggs’s trial), and D.E. 146, at 2 (ordering an anonymous jury, over Petitioner’s objection).
The Government itself admitted in a filing with Judge Mike Mills’ Court that Mr. Langston’s
proposed testimony constituted “the turning point in the case” and “substantially contributed …
to the plea of … Zach Scruggs”. Petition, Exh. “I” Govt. Mot. for Downward Departure for Joey
Materiality: To receive relief under coram nobis or Section 2255, Petitioner must show
prejudice. U.S. v. Shaid, 937 F.2d 228, 232 (5th Cir., 1991) (en banc).
Evidence: The Government never corrected its statement to the Court that Mr. Langston
would implicate Petitioner in the Wilson/DeLaughter case. Petition Exh. “B”, Hearing Tr.,
2/21/2008 at 21:15:20 (emphasis added). As to the falsity of the representation, see Petition Exh.
“F”, Langston Affidavit, 4/27/10 at 5 (denying that representation); Petition Exh. “D”, Sanders
4
See also Petition Exh. “C”, King of Torts book at 161, 219 (Mr. Dawson said that M r.Langston’s proposed
testimony “compel[ed]” guilty pleas and was a “suffocating force” that “blew a hole” in the defense.).
10
Materiality: To receive relief under coram nobis or Section 2255, Petitioner must show
cause for failing to raise this ground prior to pleading guilty. Shaid, 937 F.2d at 232.
5. Misprison
5.1. Defendant never took an affirmative step to conceal any federal crime.
Evidence: Information, D.E. 188 (disclosing no such act); Factual Basis, D.E. 189 (same).
the felony.” U.S. v. Walkes, Slip Copy, 2011 WL 396485 (5th Cir., 2011))(citing United States
v. Adams, 961 F.2d 505, 508 (5th Cir. 1992)). “The mere failure to report a felony is not
sufficient to constitute a violation” of the misprision statute. U.S. v. Johnson, 546 F.2d 1225,
1227 (5th Cir. 1977). This affirmative act must be “a separate act not necessary to the original
conspiracy, but [] an affirmative act of concealment of that conspiracy.” U.S. v. Davila, 698
6.1. The Government created the bribery scheme and induced Timothy Balducci, and
Evidence: See Fact 1.1 supra (showing that the original agreement was non-criminal).
Thereafter, Judge Lackey, working as a government agent, refused to enter the routine order
compelling arbitration for seven months, during which Balducci contemplated no bribe. Petition
Exh. “K”, Balducci Testimony, at 63:10-17. Judge Lackey recused himself in frustration,
thereby eliminating any chance that the Defendants would bribe him. The Government’s insisted
that Judge Lackey un-recuse himself, not with any intent of actually adjudicating the case
11
according to the law, but only for the purpose of entrapping the defendants. See Petition Exh.
“N” at 72-74 (Judge Lackey testifying that he was motivated by his thought Dick Scruggs was a
“monster” who had “probably destroyed” lives); id ., at 75 (the Government “encouraged” him to
get back into case because they wanted to indict Dick Scruggs). See also Petition Exh. “K,”
Testimony of FBI Agent Delaney at 120:18-22 (explaining Lackey’s non-judicial reason for re-
inserting himself in the case). Many months passed, and Judge Lackey gave Balducci many
more opportunities to display a corrupt intent. See id., at 141:14-142:7 (taking Balducci out to
lunch); 143:10-148:5 (calling him repeatedly); Petition Exh. “N”, Lackey Testimony at 76-80
(same). But after six months of pursuit, Balducci never took the bait. Agent Delaney and Judge
Lackey then exploited Lackey’s personal relationship with Balducci. Id. ; Petition Exh. “K”,
Balducci Testimony at 73:19-22. Mr. Balducci still had no intention to commit a crime. Id., at
79:12-18. The Government “encouraged” Judge Lackey to asked Balducci on September 18,
2007 “if I help them [the Scruggs firm], would they help me?” Petition Exh. “P”, 9/18/07
Recording Tr. at 5; Petition Exh. “N”, Lackey Testimony at 80. The Judge’s brazen comment
surprised Balducci. Petition Exh. “K”, at 70:7-71:2. Recognizing that such an audacious request
would not suffice, Judge Lackey then began “pouring his heart out to” his good friend Balducci
with a story about how he was desperate for money and asking Balducci to help him out of the
jam. Id., at 72:12-73:25. To further induce Balducci, Judge Lackey even insinuated that he
would rule in favor of the opposing party if Balducci did not come up with the money, claiming
that Jones’s attorney “Grady [Tollison] is putting some pressure ... on me to get this thing done.”
Id., at 6. Through all this, Judge Lackey admits that Balducci never offered him any money for
resolving the case favorably to SKG. See Petition Exh. “N,” at 76-80.
12
Materiality: A defendant is allowed to raise entrapment as an alternative defense, even while
denying knowledge and participation in the substantive crime. See U.S. v. Garrett, 716 F.2d 257,
271 (5th Cir., 1983) (“…to the extent that the jury may find culpability on his part, he was
entrapped…”) (quoting and following United States v. Greenfield , 554 F.2d 179, 182 (5th Cir.,
1977)). Government inducement is the first element of entrapment. U.S. v. Theagene , 565 F.3d
911, 918 (5th Cir., 2009) (stating that this and the other element both go to “the ultimate issue of
whether criminal intent originated with the government” as opposed to the defendant.”).
7. Coram Nobis
Materiality: The sufferance of civil disabilities is an element for relief under coram nobis.
III. CONCLUSION
Summary judgment provides a litmus test. Through this procedure, the Court and the
parties can efficiently and deliberatively determine which issues are genuinely disputed, and
which are founded on nothing more than rhetoric. The Petitioner has made a substantial showing
on each of these issues. This Motion provides an opportunity for the Government to do the
same. When the dust settles, and the law and facts are seen more clearly, the Petition should be
granted.
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/s/Edward D. Robertson, Jr.
Edward D. Robertson, Jr. (pro hac vice)
Michael C. Rader, MB#10020
BARTIMUS FRICKLETON ROBERTSON & GORNY
11150 Overbrook Road, Suite 200
Leawood, KS 66211
913-266-2300
Email: mrader@bflawfirm.com
Bartimus, Frickleton, Robertson & Gorny, P.C.
715 Swifts Highway
Jefferson City, Missouri 65109
573-659-4454
573-659-4460 (fax)
chiprob@earthlink.net
mrader@bflawfirm.com
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CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, Edward D. Robertson, hereby certify that on April 22, 2011, I served copies of this Motion the
Office of the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Mississippi by way of the
Electronic Court Filing (ECF) system.
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