Former Alcorn Lawmaker Indicted In Prison Corruption

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – Two more men have been charged with paying bribes and kickbacks to former Mississippi Corrections Commissioner Christopher Epps in exchange for contracts.

Federal prosecutors announced Friday that Irb Benjamin, 69, of Madison, has been indicted for conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud and bribery. Prosecutors say Benjamin bribed Epps in exchange for contracts at Corrections work centers in Alcorn and Simpson counties, as well as consulting contracts with county jails in Alcorn, Washington and Chickasaw counties.

Prosecutors filed a criminal charge of bribery against Sam Waggoner, 61, of Carthage. The charge says Waggoner bribed Epps while serving as a prison phone company consultant.

Both are scheduled to appear Friday in federal court in Jackson.

It wasn’t immediately clear if either man has a lawyer to speak for him.