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Former DTU president accused of fraud ‘accurately reported her compensation to the federal government,’ attorney says

High-profile attorney Hank Coxe is representing Terrie Brady

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – One day after the former president of Duval Teachers United was indicted and accused of conspiring to steal over $1 million, a high-profile attorney has provided a statement claiming she “accurately reported her compensation” to the federal government.

Attorney Hank Coxe said in a statement given to News4JAX:

For decades, Teresa Brady has been applauded as an advocate for our local teachers and quality education. Throughout her career with Duval Teachers United, Mrs. Brady accurately reported her compensation to the federal government in her tax returns. We are confident as we move forward, and Mrs. Brady appreciates the outpouring of support.

Hank Coxe, attorney for former DTU president Teresa (Terrie) Brady

RELATED: Longtime Duval teachers union president retires in wake of FBI, IRS investigation

It is currently unclear who is representing Ruby George, 81, the former executive vice president who was also indicted for multiple counts of fraud alongside Brady.

On Monday, the Department of Justice announced the unsealing of an indictment that accuses Brady and George of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and mail fraud, eight counts of aiding and abetting wire fraud, and three counts of aiding and abetting mail fraud.

Brady is also accused of two counts of money laundering. The two each face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each count, while Brady faces a maximum penalty of 10 years on each count of money laundering.

The former DTU president spent over 30 years with Duval Teachers United before retiring in 2023, spent time with the Democratic National Committee, and served as leader of the Florida and Duval County Democratic Party.

Ted Delegal, a lawyer specializing in employment law, explained how longtime employees can sometimes fly under the radar because they are given plenty of assumed trust.

“When folks have been in a position of trust for a long time, it is sometimes the case that some of the oversight may be more relaxed than it should be,” he said. “And it’s not uncommon to see problems arise with regard to payment processes.”

State Representative Dean Black told News4JAX that both former DTU employees deserve the maximum prison sentence if the allegations are confirmed, adding that their arrests are proof that newly passed transparency laws for unions are working.

“When I ran House Bill 1445 to require financial transparency of the unions to their members, they fought it tooth and nail,” Black said. “There were protests in the Capitol. They did not want that transparency, and I think now we know why.”

News4JAX also asked the community how the allegations against Brady and George impacted them and received a plethora of responses.

“I am hoping it’s all not true but if it is I’m wondering if I should still trust the union. Am I owed a refund?” one person wrote.

“So sad, she always said she was fighting for us and yet stealing at the same time. I paid my dues from 2004-2020,” another teacher wrote.

“I was a dues paying member of DTU for 20 years prior to my retirement in 2021. I served on the bargaining committee with Ms. Brady and Ms. George and thought I knew them pretty well from countless hours spent going over contracts and budgets, but honestly, had you told me that two of the folks on the committee were actively stealing money from the union, I sure wouldn’t have pegged the two of them as the ones. I’m in shock. After reading the indictment, I’m more shocked. You want to think they didn’t think they knew what they were doing was wrong, but not after reading the charges. Wow! Just wow,” another person wrote to News4JAX.

Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan also commented on the arrests, telling us “she hates to see it” before continuing to say that she knows very little about the allegations other than what she’s read in the news.


About the Author
Tarik Minor headshot

Tarik anchors the 4, 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. weekday newscasts and reports with the I-TEAM.