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→Corruption scandal
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.