Lampton retiring as U.S. attorney
Published 6:00 am Friday, January 30, 2009
JACKSON (AP) – U.S. Attorney Dunn Lampton, who successfullyprosecuted millionaire lawyer Paul Minor and two former judges,says he’ll retire Saturday after more than seven years ofrepresenting the southern district of Mississippi.
Lampton, 58, announced his retirement Thursday in a newsrelease. He is from Pike County and was district attorney for the14th Circuit Court District, including Pike, Lincoln and Walthallcounties, prior to his federal appointment.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stan Harris will serve as the actingfederal prosecutor until President Barack Obama makes hisappointments.
After being appointed to the post on Sept. 14, 2001, Lamptonopened two dormant civil rights-era cases that led to theconvictions of reputed Ku Klux Klansmen Ernest Avants and JamesFord Seale. He was also successful in a slew of Hurricane Katrinafraud prosecutions.
Minor was convicted in 2007 of bribing former Chancery Judge WesTeel and Circuit Judge John Whitfield, who were found guilty oftaking the bribes.