BIRMINGHAM, Ala. AP-Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood wrongly conspired with prominent trial attorney Richard “Dickie” Scruggs to skirt a court order in a case involving Hurricane Katrina insurance claims, a federal judge has ruled.

Referring to Hood as a “so-called law enforcement officer,” U.S. District Judge William Acker said the attorney general helped his “close confidant” Scruggs avoid handing over stolen insurance company documents that Scruggs wanted for lawsuits against State Farm Fire and Casualty Co.