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| Ex-Prison Chief Guilty in Food Plot |
| By Associated Press |
| Published: 08/22/2001 |
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A former Texas prisons chief was found guilty Monday on federal charges stemming from a kickback scheme to distribute a meat substitute to state inmates. James A. ``Andy'' Collins, former executive director of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, was found guilty of accepting kickbacks from Vita Pro Foods Inc. to arrange a $33.7 million contract to distribute the soy product in Texas prisons. Prosecutors allege Collins accepted at least $20,000 in bribes from Yank Barry, the head of Montreal-based Vita Pro, who was also found guilty. Both face a maximum of 70 years in prison and fines of up to $2 million for bribery, fraud, money laundering and conspiracy. Collins, who was forced from his job in the prison system in 1995, declined comment. His attorney, Bill White, said he was ``acutely disappointed'' with the verdict. Barry said he was ``surprised and disappointed'' at the outcome. Attorneys for both men said they would appeal. The men are to remain free on bond until their November sentencing. Both Collins and Barry testified that no bribes were involved in what they described as a legitimate, long-term business deal to save money on food costs for Texas prisons. The contract was not put out for competitive bids - a violation of state purchasing procedures, prosecutors say. Nor was it approved by the prison board. After Collins was forced from his post in an unrelated controversy, he accepted a job as a $1,000-a-dayconsultant for Vita Pro. The scandal surfaced shortly afterward. The meat substitute was unpopular among prisoners, and was suspected of causing health problems. It was eventually used to feed hogs at prison system farms. |
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