DAVID ROYSE
Associated Press Writer

Reprinted form the Gainesville Sun - February 10, 2006

Florida's governor ousted the head of the state prison system Friday after the man was named in a wide-ranging investigation into possible criminal activity among prison employees.

State Corrections Secretary James Crosby, a former warden, had led the nation's third-largest corrections system since January 2003.

"I am deeply saddened and disappointed at the need to take this action," Gov. Jeb Bush said in a brief statement announcing his demand for Crosby resignation.

Bush, who had recently expressed confidence in Crosby's leadership, did not elaborate.

A spokesman for the governor confirmed that Crosby was a subject of an investigation into allegations against prison employees that have included steroid abuse, sexual assaults and the arrest of an employee allegedly hired only to help a prison softball team.

"It would be inappropriate to comment as this is a matter of an ongoing investigation," Bush spokesman Russell Schweiss said. "We have been cooperating with law enforcement and the governor took action when it was appropriate to do so."

Bush named an interim secretary, James McDonough, who had directed his Drug Control office since 1999.

Crosby didn't return a call to his home seeking comment Friday. He is a former warden at Florida State Prison and had worked in the prison system since 1975.