OXFORD (AP) — Attorney Sidney Backstrom says he objects to the public release of character-reference letters people have written for him in a judicial bribery case.

Backstrom and high-profile tort attorney Richard “Dickie” Scruggs, are scheduled to be sentenced Friday in federal court in Oxford.

The Sun Herald newspaper requested the release of pre-sentencing letters in the case. U.S. District Judge Neal Biggers Jr. granted that request late last week.

Backstrom is asking Biggers to reconsider that decision. Backstrom argues that some of the letters were intended to be confidential.

Prosecutors have recommended a five-year prison sentence for Scruggs, who has pleaded guilty to conspiring to bribe a state court judge. Backstrom, one of Scruggs’ law partners, pleaded guilty to conspiracy.