Category Archives: Crime

Update: Mississippi Judge Pleads GUILTY

10/09/2014 BowTieLawyer 3 Comments

As an update from a prior blog, former Mississippi Chancery Judge Joe Dale Walker, has pleaded guilty to Federal charges.

http://davidgaleuk.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/judge-in-jail.jpg

Walker, formerly of the 13th Chancery Court district which includes; Covington, Jefferson Davis, Lawrence, Simpson and Smith counties, was on suspension by the Mississippi Supreme Court for his on-the-bench conduct. He pleaded guilty this week to federal charges that included that he instructed a federal grand jury witness to destroy documents and then lied to FBI agents about it.

According to the FBI, Walker directed an attorney (the witness) he had appointed for a Conservatorship to solicit bids for the construction of a home for the ward. Of the bids obtained, one was from the Judge’s nephew. The Judge reviewed the bids in his office and instructed his nephew to increase his bid. Walker then transferred the case to the other Judge in the district for the limited purpose of accepting and approving the bid because of his nephew’s involvement. After the contract was awarded to Walker’s nephew, the case was transferred back to Walker by the second Judge.

Walker, knowing that a Grand Jury subpoena was outstanding for information concerning the bidding process, spoke with the witness about instructing his nephew to increase his bid and the original bid and any existing copies.

When interviewed by the FBI, Walker denied talking with the witness about his nephew’s bids and denied telling the witness that the original low bid needed to be “somewhere else.”

U.S. District Judge David C. Bramlette III will sentence Walker Jan. 8. He faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The Judge’s suspension, resignation, and guilty plea were a result of the joint efforts of the Mississippi Judicial Performance Committee and the FBI- Public Corruption Unit.

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Attorney in Mississippi and warns you to NOT lie to the FBI!

Follow the blog: BowTieLawyer Visit the website: Thompson Law Firm

You may also contact Matthew with your family law case, question or concern at (601) 850-8000 or Matthew@bowtielawyer.ms.

Crime, General Legal

Mississippi State & Ole Miss College Game Day Tickets; Getting Scalped

10/07/2014 BowTieLawyer 1 Comment

The Mississippi State Bulldogs are ranked #3 in the Country. The University of Mississippi is as well. The tickets for their upcoming games are the hottest seat around!

Sell outs are a given, but you can still get tickets. However, if you are selling your tickets to make a quick buck or $1,000.00 be aware of the law!

MCA § 97-23-97. Scalping of admission tickets at college events held on state property:
It shall be unlawful for any admission ticket to any athletic contest of any college or university of the State of Mississippi or for any admission ticket to any entertainment event held on state property to be sold for a price in excess of the price printed on the face of the ticket.

   It shall be unlawful to sell any such admission tickets at any place or in any manner except at such places and in such manner as designated by the proper authorities issuing such tickets.

   Nothing in this section shall prohibit a private individual from selling tickets bought for personal use at a price not to exceed the price on the face of the ticket.

   Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of this section shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be punished as for a misdemeanor.

HISTORY: SOURCES: Laws, 1990, ch. 342, § 1, eff from and after July 1, 1990.

So, just selling your tickets at “market value” may well get you charged with a crime, a misdemeanor. Go, enjoy the game!

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Attorney in Mississippi and recommends you not run afoul of the law.

Follow the blog: BowTieLawyer Visit the website: Thompson Law Firm

You may also contact Matthew with your family law case, question or concern at (601) 850-8000 or Matthew@bowtielawyer.ms.

Child Custody, Crime, General Legal, Opinion

FLAG on the PLAY; NFL is NO Moral Authority

09/15/2014 BowTieLawyer 1 Comment

Moral authority is authority premised on principles which are independent of written laws. As such, moral authority necessitates the existence of and adherence to truth. Because truth does not change, the principles of moral authority are immutable or unchangeable.

The world has been abuzz the last week over two NFL scandals. The first involved Ray Rice assaulting his then-fiancee, committing heinous acts of domestic violence, and the NFL’s wrist-slapping until the video of the act came to light. The second was Adrian Petersen taking a switch to his 4-year old child, leaving numerous switch marks, welts and breaking the skin on the child.

There has been much attention on both and the good from this will be the light shined on domestic violence and proper child discipline. Neither of these incidents were proper, nor excusable. However, what the NFL does or does not do should not change your view on either incident.

The NFL is there to make money and provide entertainment. That’s it. If you are looking to the NFL to have a true moral compass or for real role models you are looking in the wrong place. Look to your local neighborhoods, communities and own family for true role models. The professionals, pastors, educators, mothers and fathers – those that give back and do the right thing when no one is looking. Those are the ones to emulate, if anyone.

The NFL is not designed nor equipped to be role models- they are designed to make money and entertain.

Don’t want to be constantly disappointed? Aim higher.

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Attorney in Mississippi, coach of the U7 Girl’s Purple Rush, assistant den leader and involved in numerous community activity groups.

Follow the blog: BowTieLawyer Visit the website: Thompson Law Firm

You may also contact Matthew with your family law case, question or concern at

(601) 850-8000 or Matthew@bowtielawyer.ms.

Child Support, Crime, General Legal

Child Support, FaceBook and Poor Judgment = Rich Consequences

08/11/2014 BowTieLawyer 1 Comment

Pay your Child Support. It’s been said and blogged before, but a few payors have yet to get the message…

Newly Internet famous, John McCroy, reportedly paid his $100.00 per month child support only one time. He allegedly refused to pay because he died and could not afford it. Neither appears true. Above is the recent photo of himself with at least $100.00 and being alive.

Social media like FaceBook (also, don’t do this on FB) and other sites are now routinely reviewed in determining a potential party’s whereabouts, goings-on and can be used as a snap shot into their financial status.

I have personally prepared to use FaceBook photos of an ex, severely behind on their obligations, claiming they cannot afford it, but had numerous pictures of their new car and the recent vacation they just took to the beach. Certainly, there are circumstances where persons cannot afford their obligations when life gets in the way, but pictures of your new car and recent vacation are proof positive you are choosing to not pay your obligations.

Just like McCroy, it was proof they could meet the obligation, but chose not to. McCroy posted numerous photos and comments once his “story” broke. He noted that no one in the media has mentioned that his Baby’s Mama was keeping the child away from him. If true he should seek Contempt against her or specified visitation rights, it is not a basis to not pay your child support.

Matthew Thompson is a Child Support Lawyer in Mississippi and reminds you that as a parent you have a moral and legal obligation to pay Child Support.

Follow the blog: BowTieLawyer

You may also contact Matthew with your family law case, question or concern at (601) 850-8000

Child Custody, Crime, divorce, General Legal, Irreconcilable differences, Marriage, Modifications, Opinion

The BEST 2 Rules for Handling your Divorce Case; Don’t Threaten and Don’t Bluff.

07/03/2014 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

2 Rules in Family Law and Negotiations to live by involve messing with the bull.

#1 Don’t Threaten. Do NOT threaten to take anyone’s kids away, ever. Do NOT threaten to take them to the cleaners. Do NOT threaten to put them under the jail, in the poorhouse or any other unsavory place. Threats, usually, do NOT work and they incite anger, rage, irrational conduct, fear, resentment and a whole lot of legal fees.

#2 Don’t Bluff. Bluffing and getting called on it shows weakness, lack of nerve and gumption. Bluffing in the form of impossible threats, false deadlines and unattainable goals bolsters the other side and invites counter attacks.

So if we cannot threaten and cannot bluff what do we do?

#1 Explain the two courses of action available. 1) The easy way; Settlement, Mediation, working in common accord or, alternatively, door #2) Litigation. Do not threaten action. Take action.

#2 Do it. Do NOT bluff, follow through with taking the actions necessary to accomplish your goals.

Matthew Thompson is a Divorce Attorney in Mississippi, Adjunct Law Professor at MC Law, and part-time soccer coach… and reminds you that when you mess with the bull, you get the horns…

Follow the blog:#BowTieLawyer Visit the website: #Thompson Law Firm You may also contact Matthew with your family law matter or question at (601) 850-8000 or Matthew@bowtielawyer.ms

Crime, Opinion

Picture-gate; Cochran vs. McDaniel Update.

05/29/2014 BowTieLawyer 5 Comments

A prior post had the basics of what is now being called Picture-Gate and the dirtiest Senatorial election in Mississippi History, at least recent history. The background can be read here; A Picture is Worth a Decillion Words.

The state’s most popular blog, Jackson Jambalaya, has been all over the story, even before it was a story. The investigation is ongoing and a recent JJ post shed some light onto the speculation surrounding the conspiracy charges. My prior blogged opined;

The most bizarre aspect, other than the brain that thought this was viable strategy, are the conspiracy allegations that have embroiled an attorney (Mark Mayfield), soccer coach (Rick Sager)and Hattiesburgian (John Mary), leading to their arrests. What role they played, if any, remains to be seen, but could include providing aid or information on Mrs. Cochran’s whereabouts and how to gain access, or after the scheme, the taking down the posting and trying to “bury the evidence.” Who knows?

The conspiracy piece did indeed include Clayton Kelly receiving information on Mrs. Cochran’s exact whereabouts, how to infiltrate the facility she was in, and otherwise plotting the photo opportunity for McDaniel’s political gain. The players seemingly only “knew” each other via Facebook. Yet another good reason to not put your junk on Facebook; here or here.

No clear connection has been made to McDaniel personally and the speculation that has surrounded his campaign has largely been increased due to McDaniel’s campaign’s seemingly inconsistent stories and their pronouncements of refusing to use this situation and be above it, all the while using this situation to be critical of Cochran and his campaign. McDaniel also did himself no favors in refusing to answer a basic question of what he knew and when in a recent CNN interview. The counter to this is Cochran’s seeming complete avoidance of CNN’s attempts to interview him and any other newsworthy entity, though there was a Wall Street Journal article some two nights ago indicating multiple statements to interviews by Cochran.

This sordid mess is not over yet. On June 3, Mississippi will have a candidate for Senator and the guaranty of a nasty race in the general election. Picture-Gate ain’t over by a long shot.

Matthew Thompson is a Chancery Practice Attorney in Mississippi (formerly the Hospitality State), aced Legislation in Law School and is still taken aback by this ever-growing saga.

Follow the blog:#BowTieLawyer

You may also contact Matthew with your family law matter or question at (601) 850-8000

Crime, Opinion

A Picture is Worth a Decillion Words…Mississippi Politics; Cochran vs. McDaniel

05/23/2014 BowTieLawyer 6 Comments

A picture is worth a 1,000 words. Well, in Mississippi Politics a picture is worth way more. What (fill in the blank)____Gate will this be called? ClaytonGate, SenateGate, #YetAnotherBlackEyeAndWhyMississippiRoutinelyRanks49or50Gate

The story that will not end is that of the Pearl blogger-want-to-be, Clayton Kelly, surreptitiously photographing Senator Thad Cochran’s wife and then using that photo to insinuate infidelity. He “snuck” into a nursing home to capture the image.

Both candidates for Senate, Cochran and challenger, Chris McDaniel, have been accused of using this situation for their own political gain.

Decillion = 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 (10³³).

There are enough questions about the bizarre story to cast aspersions at both sides and that is constantly being done. The criticism of McDaniel’s camp is how they knew, when the knew. Campaign personnel reached out to the Cochran side to express disgust and outrage prior to the full details being made public – raising the specter of how they knew. A subsequent interview of McDaniel downplayed his knowledge of the event, though his people knew of it for almost a month. Additionally, the perpetrator stated he took down the posting because “the big man” wanted it down. Presumptively “the big man” is McDaniel. McDaniel has used this scandal to repeat his mantra that Cochran refuses to debate him. The McDaniel camp has also prematurely declared their innocence based upon a reported District Attorney, Michael Guest, statement that Guest then addressed clarifying no such innocence due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, causing McDaniel to delete his declaration. It made the mess look worse than it was. Confused yet??

The other visual that each story includes is a picture of McDaniel at political meet & greets with at least 2 of the arrested individuals, alluding to guilt by association.

Cochran has been criticized for taking his sweet time in reporting the allegations. That the Cochran campaign waited until the opportune time to use this situation for political gain, sitting on it for 3 weeks to a month and then feigning outrage. Accusations that Cochran orchestrated this have been lobbed and infidelity accusations continue to be raised.

The most bizarre aspect, other than the brain that thought this was viable strategy, are the conspiracy allegations that have embroiled an attorney (Mark Mayfield), soccer coach (Rick Sager)and Hattiesburgian (John Mary), leading to their arrests. What role they played, if any, remains to be seen, but could include providing aid or information on Mrs. Cochran’s whereabouts and how to gain access, or after the scheme, the taking down the posting and trying to “bury the evidence.” Who knows?

We, as the general public, declare disfavor for the whole sordid affair, but blog, comment, research, speculate, gossip and conclude about this mess based on our own political ideology. Unfortunately we love to hate this, but perpetuate it, too.

What really happened? Who knew what and when? We will likely never get the full story. Mississippi politics will forever prevent the truth of this situation being fully determined. It’s a sad, sordid turn that will reverberate until the next political scandal…

Matthew Thompson is a Divorce and Domestic Relations Attorney in Mississippi and admits that he has followed this story, read the blogs, the comments, seen the clips, interviews, press releases and finds it all fascinating in a very sad way.

Follow the blog:#BowTieLawyer Visit the website: #Thompson Law Firm You may also contact Matthew with your family law matter or question at (601) 850-8000 or Matthew@bowtielawyer.ms

Crime, divorce, General Legal

“I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Ms. Lewinsky.” – Bill Clinton

05/07/2014 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

“Monicagate, Lewinskygate, Tailgate, Sexgate, or Zippergate”

Whatever you call it, it’s the case that parsed words over what the definition of “is” is and put a focus on what is and is not sex-and ergo adultery.

Mississippi defines Adultery as uncondoned Sexual intercourse with a person of the opposite sex, not your spouse. To be adultery you have to be legally married, then have intercourse with a person, not your spouse, of the opposite sex, without permission of your spouse before or forgiveness of your spouse if after. What a definition!

Uncondoned – is the part that requires it not be with permission or forgiveness, whether before or after.

Sexual Intercourse – is the part that requires sex, and what Bill Clinton based his testimony on.

Opposite sex – is the part which requires the other person be the opposite gender from the adulterer. This one is interesting as technically speaking a same-sex rendezvous does not meet the definition of adultery, maybe for a number of reasons.

Not your spouse – is obvious.

A Valid marriage – usually obvious, but every now and again that issue comes up. If you are not legally married, then it is not adultery. Mississippi abolished common law marriage over 50 years ago.

“I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Ms. Lewinsky.” – Bill Clinton

Whether is means now or is mean was, consult an attorney if you find yourself in precarious or Lewinsky-like situations.

Matthew Thompson is a Divorce and Domestic Relations Attorney in the Magnolia State. Follow the blog:#BowTieLawyer Visit the website: #Thompson Law Firm You may also contact Matthew with your family law matter or question at (601) 850-8000