Balch Throws Drummond Under the Bus Again

Mike Tracy was sadly a sucker who drank Balch’s Kool-Aid.  Garry Drummond is doing back-flips in his grave.

On the eve of the abrupt departure of Drummond Company CEO Mike Tracy who was publicly criticized for cuddling with the embattled law firm, Balch & Bingham has handed the coal company a stinging farewell gift.

In a panic over the $50 million civil lawsuit from ex-Drummond executive David Roberson,  Balch demanded today that the judge in the case, the Honorable Tamara Johnson, sign a proposed order dismissing Balch from the civil lawsuit.

The proposed order is exactly the same as the one filed by the embattled firm in June except for one addition:  the proposed order keeps Drummond in the lawsuit.

Here is the closing of the proposed order from June:

And here is closing of the proposed order filed by Balch today:

In other words, Balch & Bingham appears to have thrown Drummond Company under the bus yet again.

First, the law firm appears to have mislead Drummond Company and their executive David Roberson about an AstroTurf and bribery campaign allegedly saying it was legal when it was not.

The bribery scheme was born at the offices of Balch & Bingham.

Then David Roberson was indicted and convicted in the bribery and money laundering scheme. He was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison last year.

After vowing over a year ago to stand by Roberson, Mike Tracy hypocritically fired Roberson in February and 12 days later fired Roberson’s charity of choice, a school for autistic children, and stopped a $5,000 donation.

Under intense public scrutiny for standing with Balch & Bingham instead of Roberson, Tracy announced his abrupt retirement to take effect on October 31.

Now with today’s filing, Balch & Bingham appears to show not only that the firm “owed no duty” to tell the truth, but “owed no duty” to show any loyalty to former clients.

Mike Tracy was sadly a sucker who drank Balch’s Kool-Aid.  Garry Drummond is doing back-flips in his grave.