Attorney General's News Release

May 27, 1999

Auxvasse man pleads guilty to charge of tampering with a judicial officer; sentenced to seven years

Jefferson City, Mo. — An Auxvasse man pleaded guilty yesterday to a criminal charge of tampering with a judicial officer in connection with the filing of a false lien in 1996 against a Lincoln County judge.

Clifford Keith Hobbs (DOB - 9/13/64) was sentenced to seven years in prison by Associate Circuit Judge Glenn A. Norton. Hobbs' trial on the charge had been scheduled for June 5 in Lincoln County.

Hobbs was originally tried and convicted on the same charge by a Lincoln County court in December 1996, but a state appeals court reversed and remanded the decision last year. The Attorney General's Office then refiled the charge against Hobbs last year.

Attorney General Jay Nixon said the state considered Hobbs to be one of the leaders of the common-law movement in Missouri.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818