U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst has announced that a Mississippi Doctor has been sentenced for his role in a bribery scheme.
59-year-old Dr. Carl Reddix, of Jackson, will spend six years in jail for bribing former Mississippi Department of Corrections Commissioner (MDOC) Christopher Epps in exchange for receiving contracts involving the MDOC and its operations. Earlier this year, Reddix was ordered forfeit just under $1.3 for his role in the scheme that began back in 2012.
Related: Doctor must pay $1.3 Million after bribing state prison boss
According to a media release, Reddix’s company, Health Assurance, was awarded over $22 million in contracts with the MDOC.
Hurst sent a strong message to Reddix and others that may break the law, warning that this type of crime will lead to a jail cell.
“Today, justice was served. Dr. Carl Reddix personally bribed MDOC Commissioner Chris Epps at least 36 times over an approximately three-year period for numerous contracts worth millions of dollars. This wasn’t a mistake or a one-time occurrence. Sadly, it was simply greed, coupled with callousness for our government, public institutions and the criminal justice system,” said U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst. “Those who allow greed and rapacity to corrupt our system of government and rule of law will be held to answer for their crimes and wrongdoings. Today’s sentence illustrates that the illegal sale of our jails will end in a jail cell.”
Epps was sentenced to nearly 20 years in prison back in May.
Reddix’s case is part of a one that involves 25 lawsuits which were announced by Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood in February.
Related: AG Hood going after prison bribery contractors
Reddix must report to serve his sentence on January 28. 2018.
