Bryant Creates Task Force To Review M.D.O.C. Contracts

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – Gov. Phil Bryant is creating a five-member task force to review contracts at the Mississippi Department of Corrections.

Bryant set up the task force in an executive order issued Friday and appointed lawyer Andy Taggart of Madison and former judge Robert Gibbs as its co-chairmen. Bryant’s office says three other members will be added later.

The move comes a day after former Corrections Commissioner Christopher Epps and Brandon businessman Cecil McCrory were indicted in a bribery scheme where McCrory is alleged to have steered hundreds of thousands of dollars to Epps.

Thursday, Bryant ordered Corrections to review and rebid contracts. The task force will oversee that process and review the department’s contracting methods in general.

The department spent more than $97 million last year with companies mentioned in the indictment.