Chris Epps

Christopher B. "Chris" Epps is a former commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Corrections. He was the agency's longest serving commissioner and had worked for the department for 32 years.[1]

History, education, and career

He originated from Tchula, Mississippi.[1] He attended Mississippi Valley State University and received a bachelor's degree in elementary education.[2] Epps stated that at the time of his graduation he filled out an MDOC job application at a job fair at his university.[3] Epps' relatives worked in the education sector and had post-graduate education. He got a job at a school in Drew, Mississippi teaching science and mathematics, but in 1982 MDOC contacted him anyway asking if he was interested in working in prisons. Epps began working as a prison guard in Unit 29 at the Mississippi State Penitentiary (Parchman) in Sunflower County, Mississippi. Originally he worked as a teacher and a prison guard at the same time, but in January 1985 he quit his teaching position. At that time he was promoted to higher positions within the corrections department. Governor of Mississippi Ray Mabus made Epps the Mississippi State Penitentiary deputy superintendent in December 1988.[4] Governor Ronnie Musgrove appointed Epps as commissioner of MDOC, and governors Haley Barbour and Phil Bryant reappointed Epps on January 13, 2004 and January 11, 2012.[5]

As part of the Mississippi National Guard he worked his way to a rank of colonel before his March 2008 retirement. Epps worked as an auditor for the American Correctional Association (ACA), and in May 2010 he was elected as the association's president. He also attended Liberty University, receiving a master's degree in guidance counseling.[5] On Wednesday November 5, 2014 Epps resigned from his position.[1]

Personal life

Epps's wife is Catherlean Sanders and the two had two male children.[5] Prior to 2015 Epps's primary residence was in Flowood, Mississippi in the Jackson metropolitan area. He initially had a condominium in Biloxi but later replaced it with a condominium in Pass Christian, Mississippi.[6] He served as a deacon of Hanging Moss Road Church of Christ in Jackson.[5]

Legal issues

On November 6, 2014 the Federal Government of the United States revealed that it had indicted Epps on corruption charges;[1] these charges originated from dealings with the private prison industry.[7] The federal indictment stated that Cecil B. McCrory, a businessperson who served as the chairperson of the Rankin County School District's board of education and an ex-state legislator, provided Epps with kickbacks and bribes, including payment of the mortgate of Epps' primary residence in the Jackson area and the resulting equity and another bribe payment that, respectively, were used to get the first and second condominiums. In exchange, Epps directed contracts to McCory-owned companies and gave department work, contracts, and leases to McCory-owned companies and companies which gave McCrory paid consultant work. According to the indictment the activity started in 2007 and ended on March 12, 2014. Epps entered an initial plea of not guilty and he received a bond of $25,000.[6]

In February 2015 Epps pleaded guilty to corruption-related charges:[7] one count of filing a false tax return and one count of conspiracy to launder money.[8] As part of the plea he forfeited two Mercedes Benz vehicles and his two residences.[9] Epps will be sentenced on June 9, 2015.[8]

In November 2014 Governor Phil Bryant ordered rebids of the contracts that had been awarded by Epps.[10]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Pettus, Emily Wagster. "Epps’ star falls in Miss. after federal indictment" (Archive). Washington Times. November 8, 2014. Retrieved on February 27, 2015.
  2. ↑ Amy, Jeff. "Ex-Prison Boss and Businessman Admit to Bribery Scheme" (Archive). Associated Press at ABC News. February 25, 2013. Retrieved on February 27, 2015.
  3. ↑ Gates, Jimmie E. and Emily LeCoz. "Chris Epps' history with the MDOC" (Archive). The Clarion-Ledger. November 6, 2014. Retrieved on February 27, 2015.
  4. ↑ Buntin, John. "Down on Parchman Farm" (Archive). Governing. July 27, 2010. Retrieved on February 27, 2015.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 "Christopher B. Epps Commissioner" (Archive). Mississippi Department of Corrections. Retrieved on February 27, 2015.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Estwick, Tammy. "Epps pleads not guilty to federal bribery charges" (Archive). WAPT. November 7, 2014. Retrieved on February 28, 2015.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Blinder, Alan. "2 Former Mississippi Officials Plead Guilty in a Graft Case Involving Private Prisons." The New York Times. February 25, 2015. Retrieved on February 27, 2015.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "FORMER COMMISSIONER OF MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND LOCAL BUSINESSMAN PLEAD GUILTY IN FEDERAL COURT" (Archive). United States Department of Justice. Retrieved on February 27, 2015. Version at the website of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
  9. ↑ Mitchell, Jerry and Jimmie E. Gates. "Chris Epps, Cecil McCrory plead guilty to corruption" (Archive). The Clarion-Ledger. February 25, 2015. Retrieved on February 27, 2015.
  10. ↑ "Bryant orders prison contracts rebid" (Archive). WAPT. November 7, 2014. Retrieved on February 28, 2015.

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