* Mississippi Circuit Judge Bobby Delaughter, known for prosecuting a white supremacist, pleaded not guilty. He was accused of ruling in favor of Tobacco attorney Dickie Scruggs (Trent Lott’s brother in law) in exchange for a seat on the federal bench. [The Associated Press]

* Damn, I miss the 90’s (and not just because I loved Pauly Shore movies). yesterday. [Bloomberg]

* Will there be more? Yes. $*%&$. [The National Law Journal]

* Meanwhile — two Pennsylvania judges were caught getting $2.6 million in kick backs for sending innocent teenagers to two private juvenile detention facilities. [Reuters]

* A special federal court of three judges or “special masters” (is this a video game?) decided that the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine does not cause autism. [Los Angeles Times]

*Madoff’s defense attorney Ira Sorkin may have a conflict of interest because his parents invested with Madoff. [Bloomberg]

* If you don’t have hooters you can’t work there. Hooters discriminates against men by refusing to hire them, a class action argues. Get over it sissies, and grow some boobs. [Courthouse News Service]

* In less pressing news…President-elect Barack Obama will issue an executive order to close Guantanamo within days of entering the White House according to senior advisors. [BBC News]

* Annoyed by your loud neighbors? At least you don’t live on 64th and Lexington next to Berny Madoff (well actually you probably do, I bet those apts. are sweet) His neighbors are incensed by yesterday’s decision to keep Madoff out on bail. Meanwhile, Fairfield Greenwhich has been sued three times by Madoff investors. [Bloomberg.com]

* I served my country, and all I got was special judicial help. An Illinois county is launching a special court to try veterans who commit non-violent crimes. [The Associated Press]

* Obama asked Congress for the second-half of the bailout money so he can stabilize the economy. [The International Herald Tribune]