Jackson Free Press

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — The trial of a physician accused of bribing Mississippi's former corrections commissioner has been delayed until February.

U.S. District Judge Daniel Jordan III ordered the delay in the case of Dr. Carl Reddix Thursday. He was indicted in July on six counts of bribery and one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud. Prosecutors say Reddix bribed Epps to secure medical contracts.

The indictment says monthly bribes began at $6,000 in 2012 when Reddix's company — Health Assurance — won contracts at prisons in Lauderdale and Marshall counties. Prosecutors allege bribes increased after Epps gave Health Assurance a contract in Wilkinson County.

Reddix has pleaded not guilty and remains free on $10,000 bail. He faces up to 80 years in prison and $1.75 million in fines if convicted.