[Hawthorn]

Excellent news! But could some lawyer out there please explain: Assuming they didn't use the federal postal system, why is it a federal crime if Scruggs et al. tried to bribe a state judge?

[Lurking Libertarian]

But could some lawyer out there please explain: Assuming they didn't use the federal postal system, why is it a federal crime if Scruggs et al. tried to bribe a state judge?

The feds always base their jurisdiction in these cases on mail fraud (something in the case was mailed) or on wire fraud (use of interstate phone calls, faxes, emails or bank wire transfers).

It's virtually impossible to do any business transaction-- legitimate or otherwise-- without using the mails or "interstate wires."

[enots]

Maybe it was obstruction of justice.