Folks following the Scruggs story recall a post and thread where Steve Patterson and Tim Balducci were talking about some sort of opportunity involving “Iube”. All kinds of wild theories erupted as to what that might be. What was clear is that for some reason, Patterson and Balducci wanted Scruggs to make a call relating to this “Iube” entity. A couple of more clues and now we know. Iube is Richard Ieyoub, a former Attorney General of the State of Louisiana. (Or, in honor of possibly the best and certainly most hilarious book about southern politics, I should say the gret stet of Louisiana). And, thanks to wikipedia, here’s why it’s clear Richard Ieyoub is our man:
As attorney general, Ieyoub won a multimillion dollar tobacco settlement for the state of Louisiana as compensation for the health care costs of smokers. Ieyoub took a leading role in the formulation of the theory of parens patriae, which allows the state to sue on behalf of its citizens. The theory has implications beyond the tobacco litigation, and may be employed in the future if the states jointly challenge the possession of firearms.
So when the train was about to go straight over the bridge-that-was-out, Balducci and Patterson had yet another of counsel deal working with Mr. Ieyoub. Ed Peters. Bill Allain. What a club to join. Brings to mind Groucho’s remark.
