Scruggs I: Balducci and Patterson Sentenced to 24 Months in Prison

Former State Auditor Steven Patterson and disbarred New Albany lawyer Timothy Balducci were both sentenced to 24 months in prison today for their role in the first Scruggs judicial bribery case. MPB’s Sandra Knispel has more from the federal courthouse in Oxford.

In addition to the two-year prison sentence, Senior U.S. District Judge Neal Biggers handed down to Mr Patterson a $150,000 fine and ordered him to pay for his own incarceration. He did not levy a fine against Mr. Balducci – who does not have the funds to pay.

At the prosecution’s request, both men won’t start their sentence until March 25th, two days after the next Grand Jury convenes, so that both can testify.

“The investigation is not over," Assistant U.S. Attorney Bob Norman explained. "I can’t, of course, go into exactly where it’s going, but it’s far from over and we would need their continuing cooperation in that investigation.”

In court, both men appeared calm. Patterson even joked with reporters while Balducci – sporting a goatee and tanned from recent manual labor outside – smiled at friends in the courtroom.

Balducci told the judge he was profoundly sorry for what he’d done.

"I accept the full responsibilty for my failures and for their consequences," Balducci told the judge. "I apologize to all the innocent people whom I have hurt by what I have done. Regrettably, I know I cannot change what I have done. God knows I would if I could. All I can do now is continue to make things as right as I can."

Patterson paraphrased a witticism by a great British statesman known for his ironic zingers. "Winston Churchill once said of one of his adversaries in the British House of Commons that he was a modest man with much to be modest about." Then Patterson added, "I'm an embarrassed and humiliated man with much to be embarrassed and humiliated about."

A moment later, Patterson recited a truncated version of the poem "Myself" by 20th Century British-American poet Edgar Albert Guest, telling the judge he wished he’d paid heed to the rhyme that his grandmother had taught him.

“I cannot hide myself from me, for I can see what others cannot see, I may know what others will never know, so whatever happens let me be self-respecting and conscience free.”

"Your Honor, I cannot be conscience free," Patterson added. "But I can have some measure of dignity left knowing that in the end I did the right thing: I faced up to my responsibility squarely; I cooperated fully. And those facts alone give me some small measure of self respect and dignity."