JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The federal case against Katrina and Reggie Brown began to unfold in May 2018. The former Jacksonville City Council members, who are not related, were named in a federal indictment alleging fraud and money laundering, charges related to the misuse of a federally backed loan and a city grant obtained by a barbecue sauce business owned by Katrina Brown’s family.
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Below is a timeline of events that led to the sentencing hearing:
- Sept. 23, 2019: During opening statements, Reggie Brown’s attorney reveals his client was involved romantically with Katrina Brown. Katrina Brown faces the court while representing herself.
- Sept. 27, 2019: After four days of testimony, during which witnesses discussed bogus invoices and thousands of dollars in kickbacks related to the case, the prosecution rests.
- Sept. 30, 2019: The defense for Katrina Brown rests without calling any witnesses.
- Oct. 1, 2019: Closing arguments get underway and the case goes to the jury.
- Oct. 2, 2019: After deliberating for seven hours over two days, the jury finds Katrina Brown guilty on all 37 counts and Reggie Brown guilty of 33 of 34 counts against him.
- Jan. 27, 2020: The date of the original sentencing hearing. That hearing was postponed until March after Katrina Brown got a new attorney. The sentencing was delayed again until May.
- Oct. 27, 2020: Katrina Brown and Reggie Brown finally appear in court for their sentencing hearing.
- Oct. 28, 2020: Sentencing resumes at 11 a.m. It’s expected the pair will be sentenced by the end of the day.