Thursday, November 29, 2007

New Clue to Lott's Leaving?

Another shoe may be dropping in the twisty tale of why Trent Lott surprisingly gave up his job as the second most powerful Republican in the US Senate.

Originally, there was speculation that Lott's motive was to beat the new two-year limitation on lobbying that goes into effect at year's end.

But a more provocative possibility surfaced today with the indictment of Lott's brother-in-law, Richard Scruggs, for trying to bribe a judge in a case involving a fee dispute with another lawyer following his negotiated settlements worth more than $100 million this year with insurers from damage by Hurricane Katrina.

Scruggs represented Sen. Lott in a settlement with State Farm after the insurer refused to pay a claim for loss of his home and Sen. Lott, according to the New York Times, "pushed through federal legislation to investigate the claims handling of State Farm and other insurers." The investigation is still going on.

All this may be coincidence, but Washington history suggests some cause and effect in looking for a possible answer to Lott's sudden departure from his powerful position. Stay tuned.

1 comment:

nolocontendere said...

Coul also be yet another of those closeted reublican thangs