JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A Texas man is scheduled to answer charges that he sought to bribe the leader of Mississippi’s prison system.
Mark Longoria, CEO of Houston-based Drug Testing Corp., is set to appear before a federal magistrate judge Tuesday in Jackson.
Longoria was charged Monday with conspiracy to bribe former Mississippi Corrections Commissioner Christopher Epps, in exchange for prisons buying drug testing cups.
A criminal charge alleges Longoria sent nearly $230,000 to Brandon businessman Cecil McCrory so McCrory could pass some money to Epps.
Prosecutors often file charges, instead of indictments, against people who agree to plead guilty.
Longoria faces up to 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Prosecutors want him to forfeit $131,000.
Nine people have been charged in the Epps bribery scheme. He and McCrory have pleaded guilty.