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Thanks to a [[1977]] lawsuit by the [[NAACP]], the [[Escambia County Board of County Commissioners]] was forced to hold district-specific elections for seats, giving black politicians a better chance of getting elected. Junior ran for the [[Escambia County District 3|District 3]] seat in [[1983]] and was elected, becoming the first black member of the Commission since Reconstruction.
In [[1986]], Junior and developer [[Jim Cronley]] purchased an old church on [[Alcaniz Street]] and converted it into the [[Junior Funeral Home]]. The business became famous for its "drive-through mortuary," allowing mourners to view the deceased through a window without leaving their vehicle. Junior later purchased Cronley's 49-percent share.<ref>"Political scandal casts shadow on the future of a man with three jobs." ''Pensacola News Journal'', May 11, 2002.</ref>The building has since been converted back into a church known as the Mission Anglican Church.
Junior lived outside his means: he leased Corvettes, bought expensive suits and took frequent trips. The line between his government career and private life began to blur. He was criticized for sending boxes of government food to the elderly with a card that read, "In the event of my death, please notify Junior Funeral Home."<ref name="dubiousdemise"/> He had extramarital girlfriends on whom he lavished expensive gifts he could not afford. One woman claimed he found her a job with the County, then had her fired when their affair ended.<ref name="dubiousdemise"/>
Junior, along with the Elliotts and fellow Commissioners [[W. D. Childers|Childers]], [[Mike Bass|Bass]] and [[Terry Smith|Smith]], were indicted on [[April 30]], [[2002]]. Governor [[Wikipedia:Jeb Bush|Jeb Bush]] suspended the commissioners by executive order on [[May 1]].<ref>[http://www.state.fl.us/eog_new/eog/library/releases/2002/may/escambia-05-01-02.html State press release]</ref> [[Marie Young]] was appointed to fill Junior's [[Escambia County District 3|District 3]] seat.
On [[September 17]], [[2002]], Junior pleased pleaded no contest to political corruption charges and agreed to testify against Childers. Junior might have faced a maximum sentence of 125 years for the felony bribery and money laundering charges, but his plea agreement ensured a sentence of no more than 18 months.<ref>"[http://www.sptimes.com/2002/09/18/State/Escambia_commissioner.shtml Escambia commissioner enters corruption plea.]" Associated Press, September 18, 2002.</ref>
In his testimony, Junior admitted to accepting a $10,000 bribe directly from Elliott and another $90,000 from Childers, who delivered some of the money in a "collard green pot" with notes alluding to future payments.