Former Mississippi Corrections Commissioner Christopher B. Epps and ex-legislator Cecil McCrory have been arraigned on a 49-count federal indictment, charging them with bribery, wire fraud, money laundering, and more in a sprawling corruption case.
Epps, the former head of the Mississippi Department of Corrections, and McCrory, a one-time Justice Court Judge and local businessman, were charged by a federal grand jury for their roles in a scheme that allegedly involved millions of dollars in bribes and kickbacks.
The indictment alleges that from 2007 to March 2014, McCrory paid Epps bribes and kickbacks in exchange for awarding or directing contracts to McCrory’s companies. The payments were made through various means including cash, mortgage checks, and wire transfers. Epps is accused of structuring the deposits to avoid reporting the income on his tax returns.
Epps faces a total sentence of up to 100 years in prison and fines totaling $1 million, while McCrory could face up to 40 years and fines of $500,000. Both men have been ordered to surrender their assets, including property and vehicles, as part of the investigation.
Acting U.S. Attorney Harold Brittain emphasized the government’s commitment to combating public corruption, stating, “We will hold accountable under the law everyone who bears the responsibility of public service and sells the trust that has been bestowed upon them.”
This case underscores the ongoing battle against corruption in public office, a problem that has long plagued Mississippi and other states. The charges are the culmination of an extensive investigation by multiple federal agencies.
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Key Facts
- State: Mississippi
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|Public Corruption
- Source: Official Source ↗
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