Former Florida Dem. Rep. Corrine Brown
Sentenced To Five Years In Mail, Wire, Tax Fraud Charity Scam
Former Florida Democratic Rep. Corrine
Brown was sentenced on Monday to five years in prison for mail, wire and
tax fraud involving a sham charity.
A jury convicted Brown of stealing money from a bogus charity, One Door
For Education, which purported to give scholarships to poor children but
instead filled the coffers of Brown and her associates.
Federal prosecutors said she and a top aide committed fraud by using
donations for lavish parties and trips.
The aide and another official later accepted a plea deal and testified
against Brown, who served in Congress for nearly 25 years.
She was defeated in her 2016 primary race.
Earlier this year, One Door President Carla Wiley pleaded guilty to one
count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud after it was determined that
she had deposited $800,000 into the foundation's account over four
years. Over that time, federal prosecutors say it gave one scholarship
for $1,000 and that Wiley transferred herself tens of thousands of
dollars.
Brown's former chief of staff, Elias "Ronnie" Simmons, and the charity's
president pleaded guilty after their federal indictments for misusing
the charity's funds, and testified against Brown.
Brown testified that she was left in the dark about the goings-on with
One Door's money, and blamed the theft on Simmons.
She was convicted in May on 18 of 22 charges.
Brown's attorney was seeking probation in Monday's sentencing.