HOW WILL THIS AFFECT ROD SMITH?

The Florida Department of Corrections was hit hard yet again Wednesday with former Secretary James V. Crosby and former Panhandle regional director Allen Clark being charged by federal authorities with accepting kickbacks from two companies which were handling the sale of items to inmates.

Also, eight current and former DEC employees were arrested on unrelated charges of misusing inmate labour and state property.

Crosby and former protege Clark have reportedly signed plea deals in which they would likely agree to cooperate with the continuing investigation. The guilty pleas will probably come as early as next week.

While it was not named in the the federal documents, it is believed that Gainesville-based American Institutional Services holds the contract which is the centerpiece of the investigation.

Crosby and AIS executives Edward L. Dugger (President) and Joseph Deest (Vice President) have been referred to by State Senator and gubernatorial candidate Rod Smith as close friends. The company gave a $30,000 to Floridians for Responsible Government, a political group which backs Smith. AIS also made contributions to Smith and both major GOP gubernatorial candidates, Attorney General Charlie Crist and Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher.

Floridians for Responsible Government has ceased operations, while the individual donations were reportedly returned by all three candidates.

Of course, Democratic primary opponent Congressman Jim Davis's campaign isn't wasting any time to try and tie Smith with Crosby and the AIS execs.

Smith told the New York Times Regional Newspaper Group reporter:

"It's a sad day...You don't quit being friends with people even when you have to separate yourself from them, even when you know they have to face the consequences. It doesn't make it any less painful...To the degree that my friends have violated the law, they have to be held accountable. I've spent the better part of my life believing that."

The Alachua Democrat also made note that Crosby, a Republican, never supported any of his campaigns.