The trial of Katrina Brown and Reggie Brown on 38 counts of fraud and conspiracy related nearly $3 million in government-backed loans and grants for a barbecue sauce manufacturing business started by Katrina Brown's family.FBI Special Agent Vanessa Stellytestified about bank transactions between the various accounts controlled by Katrina Brown and Reggie Brown, including cash withdrawals, including from ATMs.IRS criminal investigator Craig Castiglia testified that Reggie Brown did not file a tax return in 2014, and neither did KB Specialties, the corporate name of the barbecue sauce manufacturing plant.Acting as her own lawyer, Katrina Brown cross-examinesFrank Palmisano, the officer of BizCaptial, the bank that administered the $2.65 million SBA loan to the barbecue sauce business.U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard at times coached Katrina Brown on what she could and could not ask during her questioning of witnesses.Reggie Brown was defended by attorney Thomas Bell.Jerome Brown, Katrina Brown's father and namesake of the barbecue sauce, testified he know the company was losing money and subsidized the business with his own money.In his closing argument, Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Coolicanreminded the jury of checks showing money from the SBA loan moved between accounts controlled by Katrina Brown and Reggie Brown.Katrina Brown tells the jury the government claims there was a conspiracy, but can't show where the money went and that she "never took a dime because she wanted the business to work."
The trial of Katrina Brown and Reggie Brown on 38 counts of fraud and conspiracy related nearly $3 million in government-backed loans and grants for a barbecue sauce manufacturing business started by Katrina Brown's family.
