Hurst

The ongoing investigation into the corruption and bribery scheme of former Mississippi Department of Corrections Commissioner Christopher B. Epps has netted new charges against four Louisiana businessmen for attempting to bribe Kemper County Sheriff James Moore.

According to a statement from Department of Justice, Moore voluntarily assisted the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the investigation. 

“As long as public corruption continues to be an issue in our state, I can promise you that the U.S. Attorney’s Office will be here to root it out, prosecute it, and ensure that justice is done. I want to personally thank Kemper County Sheriff James Moore for coming forward and working with us to catch those who violate our corruption laws,” said U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst in the release.

The four men charged include: Michael LeBlanc Sr., 70, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Michael LeBlanc Jr., 40, of Prairieville, Louisiana; Tawasky L. Ventroy, 59, of Opelousas, Louisiana; and Jacque B. Jackson, 50, of Laplace, Louisiana. 

The Department of Justice has accused the four men of conspiring to pay bribes to Epps and Moore between 2012 and 2015.

LeBlanc Sr., LeBlanc Jr., Ventroy and Jackson worked with Brother Commissary Service and American Phone Systems, both businesses that are located in Louisiana but operate in Mississippi. 

LeBlanc Sr. and Ventroy are accused of attempting to bribe Epps with $2,000 for inmate commissary services.

According to the indictment, LeBlanc Jr. and Jackson attempted to secure contracts at the Kemper County Regional Correctional Facility by giving Moore $2,000 in casino chips in the unmonitored men’s restroom at a Biloxi, Mississippi casino. 

They promised another $5,000 more to Moore for inmate telephone and commissary services at the correctional facility. 

Moore was never under investigation, Hurst said in a news release.

If convicted, LeBlanc Sr. and LeBlanc Jr. face a maximum five-year sentence while Ventroy and Jackson face up to 10 years.

Former MDOC commissioner Christopher Epps was indicted in 2014 for money laundering and fraud related to bribes and kickbacks he received as commissioner. Epps is serving a 235-month prison sentence and was succeeded by Pelicia Hall.