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Corrine Brown opens campaign office amid federal investigation

Congresswoman says even through investigation, she still has support

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown opened her campaign office in Jacksonville Sunday amid a federal investigation into fraudulent use of money using an education charity.

The Florida Democrat faces 22 counts and her chief of staff faces 19 count in an indictment after a monthslong investigation into an unlicensed educational charity based in Virginia.

Last month, Brown pleaded not guilty to the charges and other offenses in a grand jury indictment.

According to the indictment, Brown solicited donations for the charity, One Door for Education, and used the money as a "personal slush fund."

Brown insists she is innocent of all charges, and says she will continue to focus on her campaign for re-election.

"If you want to talk about my supporters and why they are here and why they are supporting me and why they continue to support me that's fine, but I don't need the negative," Brown said.

The congresswoman said even through this investigation, she still has support.

"I've learned a lot about the criminal justice system, and more than I ever wanted to know, but knowing that people have come up to me and told me things that have happened to them, I would have never believed it," Brown said.

The congresswoman said she’s not concerned about how the federal indictment will affect her campaign.

"The only poll I care about are the ones taken on Election Day and I am doing what I need to do to get my vote out and get my people educated," Brown said.

Brown is due back in court Tuesday and her trial is tentatively set for Sept. 6.