Judge: Saxy Chambliss Immune From Lawyer’s Questions In Sugar Refinery Blast Suit

SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) - A Chatham County judge says Sen. Saxby Chambliss won’t have to answer questions from a Savannah lawyer suing Imperial Sugar on behalf of victims of the explosion at its Georgia refinery.

State Court Judge Hermann Coolidge quashed a subpoena issued to Chambliss during his heated re-election campaign last fall. The judge issued one-paragraph ruling Monday without elaborating on his reasoning.

Attorney Mark Tate sought to question Chambliss on whether Imperial Sugar enlisted his help to defend the company after the February 7th, 2008, explosion that killed 14 workers and injured dozens more.

Senate attorneys argued that the U.S. Constitution gives Chambliss immunity from being questioned about official business in civil lawsuits.