President Bill Clinton appointed Espy as U.S. secretary agriculture in 1993, the first African-American to hold that post. Espy promptly instituted reforms and staff and budget cuts to the agency, which he said was bloated with 124,000 employees and duplicating services offered by other government agencies and programs.
Espy resigned the agriculture post over accusations he received improper gifts from companies regulated by the USDA, such as sports tickets, luggage, air fare, meals and lodging. Espy was indicted in 1997. He refused offered plea bargains and demanded a trial where he was found innocent of all charges. In a related case appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, the high court in a unanimous decision — written by conservative Justice Antonin Scalia — criticized the prosecution of Espy and others as misguided.
(I can't find one newspaper endorsement for either candidate)
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