Federal appeals court upholds guilt of two former Mississippi judges

August 15, 2012

Jackson, Mississippi: The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit has upheld the sentences of former Mississippi judges Wes Teel and John Whitfield, as well as former attorney Paul Minor. Minor was first convicted of corruption in 2007. Prosecutors said he made a deal with the judges to guarantee loans for them if they ruled in his favor. Minor argued that he expected nothing in return for the loans and that there was no proof that he bought the judges' rulings. Prosecutors noted the steps he took to hide the loan activity, using cash and third parties to pay them off. The appeals court upheld the latest sentences of judicial corruption.