The Knucklehead of the Day award

Today's winner is James Crosby Jr. He is the former Florida Corrections Department Secretary. Yesterday he and a colleague pled guilty in Federal court to charges they took kickbacks from a prison contractor.

I deplore all forms of corruption. Crosby wasn't happy with his public salary and decided to use his office to enrich himself. Instead he'll be going to prison. Before you go James Crosby Jr, I give you this parting gift, today's Knucklehead of the day award.

Open Post- Jo's Cafe, Bright & Early, TMH's Bacon Bits, Adam's Blog, Blue Star, Third World County, Mudville Gazette,

JACKSONVILLE · Former Corrections Department Secretary James Crosby Jr. pleaded guilty Tuesday to taking thousands of dollars in kickbacks from a prison contractor, blaming some of his actions on alcohol abuse.

After entering his guilty plea, Crosby told reporters he was ashamed of his actions. It was another step in the downfall of a man whose prison system was recently the target of several scandals and investigations.

"I apologize to everyone. What I did was wrong," Crosby said. "I wish I could take it back."

Crosby told U.S. Magistrate Marcia Morales Howard that he was being treated for alcohol abuse and high blood pressure. "I am getting treatment," Crosby said, when asked by reporters if he was an alcoholic.

He would not give details into the kickback case. "I made a choice. I pleaded guilty," he said. "I take responsibility for what I did."

Crosby apologized to Gov. Jeb Bush, his family and Florida's citizens.

"I misled Gov. Bush," Crosby said. He added that "shame" had kept him from contacting Bush after he was fired.

Crosby, 53, and his protege, Allen Wayne Clark, formerly one of the department's regional directors, were charged last week with accepting kickbacks from American Institutional Services, a company that sold snacks and drinks to prison visitors on weekends.

Crosby and Clark, who pleaded guilty Thursday to the kickback charge, were each released on a $50,000 unsecured signature bond.

While U.S. Attorney Paul Perez said both Crosby and Clark could receive up to eight years in federal prison, Crosby's attorney Steve Andrews said he was hoping for a sentence of two years to 30 months.

Both have agreed to pay $130,000 in restitution, which is the total amount of the kickbacks and cooperate with federal investigators. Prosecutors have not said how much each of the men received, but under federal law both are responsible for the total amount. They could also lose their state retirement funds. Crosby received a lump-sum retirement payout of $215,000 and also gets a $66,000 annual pension.

Cross posted to Bullwinkle Blog