Disbarred Memphis lawyer hauls in big pay from political candidates
Judges, others pay Bret Thompson for political consulting despite a string of felonies and a growing list of victims
“I am so mad right now I can’t even see straight,” said Reginald Eggerson, who may be among as many as 20 victims of Bret Thompson. “Because all these judges, all these people, are enabling him to go out and prey on people such as myself.” Eggerson says he didn’t know Thompson had been disbarred and paid him to handle a legal matter for him. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian)
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The Institute for Public Service Reporting
The Institute for Public Service Reporting is based at the University of Memphis and supported financially by U of M, private grants and donations made through the University Foundation. Its work is published by The Daily Memphian through a paid-use agreement.
Former lawyer Bret Thompson was disbarred in 1996 for stealing client funds. He’s been repeatedly convicted since then for posing as a lawyer and stealing from “clients.” But as his list of victims grows, judges and other candidates pay him thousands of dollars as a political consultant.
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Bret Thompson Bretran Thompson Reginald Eggerson Jim Kyle Felicia Corbin Johnson Jennifer Nichols Richard W. Painter Regina M. Newman Dwayne Thompson Stuart Breakstone Erim Sarinoglu Memphis Luxury Car Rental Deborah RogersIn partnership with
The Institute for Public Service Reporting is based at the University of Memphis and supported financially by U of M, private grants and donations made through the University Foundation. Its work is published by The Daily Memphian through a paid-use agreement.
Marc Perrusquia
Marc Perrusquia is the director of the Institute for Public Service Reporting at the University of Memphis, where graduate students learn investigative and explanatory journalism skills working alongside professionals. He's won numerous state and national awards for government watchdog, social justice and political reporting. Follow the Institute on Facebook or Twitter @psr_memphis.
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