Mississippi Department of Corrections Commissioner Chris Epps resigned his post in 2014 after he was indicted by the USA attorney’s office in Jackson.
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Mark Longoria, 53, of Houston, Texas has been charged in a Criminal Information with conspiracy to pay bribes to former Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) Commissioner Christopher B. Epps, announced Acting United States Attorney Harold Brittain and FBI Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Donald Alway. That company was monitoring prison health care.
She is charged with one count of attempt and conspiracy and two counts of theft or bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds. The maximum penalty for conspiracy is five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Longoria faces up to 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Teresa’s husband, Bennett Malone resigned from the legislature in 2015 after almost 36 years, because of his health. Her husband, Bennett Malone, served 35 years in the House before retiring in 2015. No lawyer is listed for her in electronic court records. Prosecutors want him to forfeit $131,000.
Reddix’s attorney, Lisa Ross, entered a not guilty plea on his behalf in his initial court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Keith Ball, who set an October 3 trial date for Reddix.
A criminal charge alleges Longoria sent almost $230,000 to Brandon businessman Cecil McCrory so McCrory could pass some money to Epps. Longoria will appear for arraignment on Tuesday, July 26, 2016, at 1:30 p.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Keith Ball.
The U.S. attorney’s office in Jackson issued another indictment Monday in the federal corruption case involving the state’s former corrections commissioner, Chris Epps.
McCrory has admitted to kicking back portions of consulting contracts for prison vendors to Epps.
Epps is accused of running one of the largest and longest criminal conspiracies in state government history, taking at least $1.4 million in bribes and kickbacks over eight years to steer more than $800 million worth of state prison contracts.
Epps and McCrory pleaded guilty in February 2015 to charges connected to the bribery scheme, which cast a harsh light on MS politics and its prison system. McCrory, a former state House member, pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering conspiracy and faces up to 20 years. He’s also forfeiting $1.7 million in assets.
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McCrory’s attorney, Carlos Tanner, said his client will withdraw his guilty plea to one count of bribing Epps.
