INSIDER
Judge denies former JEA CEO Aaron Zahnโs request to remain free during appeals process
Read full article: Judge denies former JEA CEO Aaron Zahnโs request to remain free during appeals processA federal judge has denied a request from former JEA CEO Aaron Zahn to remain free while he appeals his federal conviction on conspiracy and wire fraud charges.
Duval supervisor of elections urges voters to double check ballots after some say they had trouble casting votes
Read full article: Duval supervisor of elections urges voters to double check ballots after some say they had trouble casting votesThe Duval Supervisor of Elections urged voters to double-check ballots after some said they had trouble casting votes on the touch screen machines.
Jaguars push for the community to get engaged, educated about voting
Read full article: Jaguars push for the community to get engaged, educated about votingIf youโve been to a Jacksonville Jaguars game or watched one on TV, youโve seen and heard the fans get excited when the team scores. But thereโs also a push to see fans get excited about casting their ballot on Election Day.
Angie Nixon defeats former Jacksonville City Councilwoman in landslide in race for District 13
Read full article: Angie Nixon defeats former Jacksonville City Councilwoman in landslide in race for District 13Democratic State Rep. Angie Nixon nailed District 13 with a Tuesday night win in Floridaโs primary election.
Election misinformation in Duval, St. Johns impacts weeks leading up to Florida primary
Read full article: Election misinformation in Duval, St. Johns impacts weeks leading up to Florida primaryCandidates have been making their case for months, but in the closing weeks reports of election misinformation have become an issue.
โItโs overโ: Former Rep. Brown, State Rep. Nixon reach agreement following legal feud over โfraudulentโ voter guides
Read full article: โItโs overโ: Former Rep. Brown, State Rep. Nixon reach agreement following legal feud over โfraudulentโ voter guidesThe legal battle between former Congresswoman Corrine Brown and State Rep. Angie Nixon ended Friday morning after an agreement was reached to stop the distribution of โfraudulentโ quick-pick voter guides.
State Rep. Nixon denies involvement after former Rep. Brown accuses her of falsifying voter guide
Read full article: State Rep. Nixon denies involvement after former Rep. Brown accuses her of falsifying voter guideFormer U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown held a news conference Monday morning to announce that she has filed a complaint for injunctive relief against State Rep. Angie Nixon after accusing her of disseminating fraudulent โquick pickโ voter guides in Duval County.
Duval County elections office warns of fake vote guides, urges voters to do their own research on candidates
Read full article: Duval County elections office warns of fake vote guides, urges voters to do their own research on candidatesThe Duval County Supervisor of Elections encouraged residents to be informed on candidates because of fake voter guides being circulated.
Corrine Brown has not yet paid the IRS as part of her settlement deal
Read full article: Corrine Brown has not yet paid the IRS as part of her settlement dealCorrine Brown was ordered to pay the IRS $62-thousand dollars in restitution. In recent court filings, weโve learned that Brown has yet to pay any of that amount. Her lawyers say theyโve been unable to work out a payment schedule, and asked the judge to approve $1000 a month.
Sex, barbecue sauce, and corruption: A look back at the most memorable Jacksonville-area political scandals
Read full article: Sex, barbecue sauce, and corruption: A look back at the most memorable Jacksonville-area political scandalsThe JEA scandal rocked the city and two men could face 25 years in federal prison if convicted, but itโs far from the first headline-grabbing politically-connected scandal to hit the Jacksonville area in recent years.
Corrine Brown's former chief of staff pays back restitution in federal fraud case
Read full article: Corrine Brown's former chief of staff pays back restitution in federal fraud caseElias โRonnieโ Simmons, who once served as chief of staff to Corrine Brown during her time in Congress, has paid his restitution in his federal fraud case, according to court documents.
โPeople tell me they miss my voiceโ: Corrine Brown hosts hobnob for Jacksonville candidates
Read full article: โPeople tell me they miss my voiceโ: Corrine Brown hosts hobnob for Jacksonville candidatesOne of the most controversial political figures in Jacksonville is getting involved again in the local political scene.
Corrine Brown not ruling out future in politics following 4th place finish in Orlando-area primary
Read full article: Corrine Brown not ruling out future in politics following 4th place finish in Orlando-area primaryFormer U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown spoke about her future on Monday, nearly a week after she lost her primary bid to return to Congress and represent the Orlando area.
Democratic race for governor highlights Florida primary
Read full article: Democratic race for governor highlights Florida primaryThe most significant race in Florida's primary election Tuesday is between the two Democratic gubernatorial candidates seeking to go against Gov. Ron DeSantis, who's unopposed in the Republican primary.
Corrine Brown says she saw issues with criminal justice system while in jail. Now she wants to fix them
Read full article: Corrine Brown says she saw issues with criminal justice system while in jail. Now she wants to fix themConvicted felon and former U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown said if she is elected to serve again in Congress, she plans to work to address issues within the criminal justice system.
Jacksonvilleโs new congressional boundaries are expected to favor Republicans. Hereโs whoโs running
Read full article: Jacksonvilleโs new congressional boundaries are expected to favor Republicans. Hereโs whoโs runningNews4JAX is taking a closer look at the redrawn congressional districts in North Florida.
Florida primary will be a scramble to fill US House seats
Read full article: Florida primary will be a scramble to fill US House seatsWith about two months before Floridaโs primary, the most exciting event to watch outside the Democratic nomination for governor is the mad scramble to fill congressional seats.
Despite critics, congressional candidate Corrine Brown ready to get to work
Read full article: Despite critics, congressional candidate Corrine Brown ready to get to workA day after U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown, who was convicted last month of a federal tax charge in a charity fraud case, announced she was running for Congress again, she spoke face-to-face with News4JAX about that decision.
Can Corrine Brown run for Congress again? Attorneys explain how she qualifies
Read full article: Can Corrine Brown run for Congress again? Attorneys explain how she qualifiesFormer Congresswoman Corrine Brown, who was convicted of a federal tax charge in a charity fraud case, has announced that she wants to return to the U.S. House.
Well-known community activist bonds out of jail, releases statement after identity theft arrest
Read full article: Well-known community activist bonds out of jail, releases statement after identity theft arrestOfficials said Jackson is accused of obtaining fraudulent bank loans with other individualsโ personal information.
Former Corrine Brown associate turns himself in after JSO announced arrest warrant to public
Read full article: Former Corrine Brown associate turns himself in after JSO announced arrest warrant to publicSiottis Jackson, 34, had an active arrest warrant for the Criminal Use of Personal Information in excess of $100,000, another troubling financial issue for a man with two felony convictions in his past.
Corrine Brownโs name will remain on Gainesville building for now
Read full article: Corrine Brownโs name will remain on Gainesville building for nowFormer U.S. Rep. Corrine Brownโs name will remain on a transportation building in Gainesville, despite her pleading guilty last week to one count of tax fraud in her federal case.
Former Rep. Corrine Brown will continue to get her pension after guilty plea. Hereโs why
Read full article: Former Rep. Corrine Brown will continue to get her pension after guilty plea. Hereโs whyFormer U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown on Wednesday pleaded guilty to one count of tax fraud in her federal case, admitting that she lied to the IRS about her income and about deductions she had claimed.
Former Congresswoman Corrine Brown pleads guilty to tax fraud
Read full article: Former Congresswoman Corrine Brown pleads guilty to tax fraudFormer U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown on Wednesday returned to federal court where she pleaded guilty to one count of tax fraud in her federal case, admitting that she lied to the IRS about deductions that were made.
Former congresswoman Corrine Brown to take plea deal
Read full article: Former congresswoman Corrine Brown to take plea dealFormer congresswoman Corrine Brown is set to change her plea Wednesday in a federal case that involves charges of fraud and conspiracy, avoiding a retrial that was scheduled to take place this fall.
Carla Wiley remains on probation after violation related to opening new lines of credit
Read full article: Carla Wiley remains on probation after violation related to opening new lines of creditCarla Wiley, who started the bogus One Door Education charity that prosecutors argued became a slush fund for former U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown, will not face any additional prison time for a violation of her federal probation.
Carla Wiley not expected to face more prison time for probation violation
Read full article: Carla Wiley not expected to face more prison time for probation violationCarla Wiley, who started the bogus One Door Education charity that prosecutors argued became a slush fund for former U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown, is not expected to face additional prison time for a violation of her federal probation.
After death of Corrine Brownโs mother, attorney asks to delay Friday hearing
Read full article: After death of Corrine Brownโs mother, attorney asks to delay Friday hearingFormer Congresswoman Corrine Brown is due to have a hearing in federal court this Friday on her status of counsel, but her attorney is asking to delay.
Corrine Brownโs attorney files formal motion asking for money to be returned
Read full article: Corrine Brownโs attorney files formal motion asking for money to be returnedThe attorney for former Congresswoman Corrine Brown has filed a motion that formally requests the government return money to Brown -- a request that was mentioned during last weekโs hearing.
Founder of bogus charity who took plea deal in Corrine Brown case faces new federal charges
Read full article: Founder of bogus charity who took plea deal in Corrine Brown case faces new federal chargesCarla Wiley, who started the bogus One Door Education charity that prosecutors argued became a slush fund for former Congresswoman Corrine Brown, is now facing new charges.
Corrine Brown will be back in federal court later this month for status hearing
Read full article: Corrine Brown will be back in federal court later this month for status hearingJudge Timothy Corrigan has set a date for the status conference requested by federal prosecutors in the Corrine Brown case.
If Corrine Brown goes back on trial, it will likely be with (another) new attorney
Read full article: If Corrine Brown goes back on trial, it will likely be with (another) new attorneyThe attorney who has represented former U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown during her appeals has told the court he will likely not serve as her counsel if she goes back on trial now that her conviction has been tossed.
Prosecutors get 90 more days to consider whether to appeal Corrine Brown case to Supreme Court
Read full article: Prosecutors get 90 more days to consider whether to appeal Corrine Brown case to Supreme CourtFederal prosecutors asked for additional time to consider an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court after an appellate court overturned the conviction of former Congresswoman Corrine Brown on tax and fraud charges.
Prosecutors weigh whether to appeal Corrine Brown case to U.S. Supreme Court
Read full article: Prosecutors weigh whether to appeal Corrine Brown case to U.S. Supreme CourtFederal prosecutors are asking for time to consider an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court after an appellate court last week overturned the conviction of former Florida Congresswoman Corrine Brown on tax and fraud charges.
Will federal prosecutors opt to retry former US Rep. Corrine Brown?
Read full article: Will federal prosecutors opt to retry former US Rep. Corrine Brown?After a federal appeals court ordered a new trial on Thursday for former U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown, the U.S. Attorneyโs Office said Friday that itโs reviewing the decision and declined to comment on whether prosecutors will pursue a retrial of the once-powerful Florida Democrat.
Federal appeals court overturns former US Rep. Corrine Brownโs conviction
Read full article: Federal appeals court overturns former US Rep. Corrine Brownโs convictionA divided federal appeals court Thursday overturned the conviction of former U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown on fraud and tax charges, ruling that a juror was improperly removed from her trial because he said the โHoly Spiritโ told him Brown was not guilty.
Judges hear former US Rep. Corrine Brownโs appeal over dismissed juror
Read full article: Judges hear former US Rep. Corrine Brownโs appeal over dismissed jurorThe trial judge dismissed Juror 13 citing that the juror disregarded the courtโs instruction that he makes a guilty or not-guilty decision based on evidence. AdJuror 13 had made several religious comments about the trial, including that the Holy Spirit told the juror Brown was not guilty. In a brief filed in December, prosecutors said the man made the Holy Spirit comment at the beginning of jury deliberations. โI donโt think it (the Holy Spirit) comment is, in and of itself, disqualifying,โ Rhodes said. AdJudge Kevin Newsom dubbed the jurorโs Holy Spirit comment the โradioactive statementโ in the case.
Reggie Brown and Katrina Brown to begin sentences in federal prison today
Read full article: Reggie Brown and Katrina Brown to begin sentences in federal prison todayJACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ After several attempts to avoid serving any time, two former Jacksonville city council members, Katrina Brown and Reggie Brown are scheduled to report to federal prisons today. With that, Katrina Brown has been told to report to Coleman Federal Correctional Institution in Sumter County to begin a 33-month prison sentence today. AdThe Federal Bureau of Prisons has not responded to News4Jax as to where Reggie Brown is going, but he is also due to begin his 18-month sentence today. TIMELINE: Prosecution of Katrina Brown and Reggie BrownThe Browns were convicted of more than 30 felonies each, including money laundering, fraud, and conspiracy. During sentencing, the judge noted that neither Katrina nor Reggie showed any remorse during the proceedings despite that they committed a sophisticated and deliberate act of fraud.
Prosecutors push back in Corrine Brownโs appeal
Read full article: Prosecutors push back in Corrine Brownโs appealProsecutors last week filed a 69-page brief, as the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals prepares to hear arguments Feb. 22 about whether it should order a new trial. Thereโs nothing wrong with belief in answered prayers or in answered prayers themselves,โ prosecutors wrote in the brief. But prosecutors in the U.S. Attorneyโs Office for the Middle District of Florida wrote in the brief last week that the key issue is whether jurors properly weigh evidence. Prosecutors wrote in the brief last week that Brown and her chief of staff, Ronnie Simmons, solicited and obtained more than $833,000 in donations for One Door for Education.
Pandemic problems: A look back at all the ways coronavirus hijacked 2020
Read full article: Pandemic problems: A look back at all the ways coronavirus hijacked 2020From the election and the Olympics to face masks and classroom cleaning protocols, coronavirus touched every part of our lives in 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic. As we look back over the strangeness of 2020, weโve compiled some of the biggest coronavirus-related stories of the year. EducationAs uncertainty reigned in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic in Florida, district by district schools began to close their doors, sending students into remote learning. When the pandemic first hit the U.S., hospitals quickly faced a shortage of much-needed personal protective equipment for frontline workers.
Ex-Congresswoman Corrine Brown argues religious discrimination in appeal
Read full article: Ex-Congresswoman Corrine Brown argues religious discrimination in appealCorriganโs decision came after the juror said the โHoly Spiritโ told him Brown was not guilty. โIf affirmed on appeal, the district courtโs holding poses significant concerns for religious people who believe that God communicates with them,โ said the brief, led by the Nebraska attorney generalโs office. But religious jurors may not say that they believe the inner voice they attribute to the divine told them the same thing. โThe district courtโs decision here handily withstands that review. โWhat the argument is that Corrine Brown was discriminated against in that she had a juror removed from her panel for religious reasons, and you canโt remove a juror for religious reasons,โ Nichols said Tuesday.
Spotlight to shine on Florida, but will it be brighter than 2000 election?
Read full article: Spotlight to shine on Florida, but will it be brighter than 2000 election?JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ The state of Florida always gains the attention of voters during an election cycle. But the national attention has perhaps never been higher for the Sunshine State during an election than in the year 2000. The mere mention of the 2000 election unsettles people in Palm Beach County. But George W. Bush became president after the Supreme Court decided, 5-4, to halt further Florida recounts, more than a month after Election Day. But as we learned in 2000, Election Day isnโt the end.
Federal judge eases limits on Corrine Brown pending appeal
Read full article: Federal judge eases limits on Corrine Brown pending appealBrown was released from a Central Florida federal prison earlier this year after her attorney argued health issues made her especially vulnerable to the coronavirus. Brownโs attorney filed a renewed motion for release pending appeal and it asked that the judge wave the requirement she check-in with a halfway house. Brownโs appeal of that conviction was initially denied by a three-judge panel, but a couple of weeks ago the full federal appeals court agreed to hear the challenge. Brownโs appeal centers on the judgeโs decision to replace a juror who said the โHoly Spiritโ told him Brown was not guilty during her trial in 2017. If the appeal court upholds her conviction, she goes back to serving her remaining sentence.
Judges hear Corrine Brownโs appeal on dismissed juror
Read full article: Judges hear Corrine Brownโs appeal on dismissed jurorChief Judge William Pryor wrote a scathing dissent to the 2-1 decision, and Brownโs attorneys subsequently asked the full court to take up the case. AdThe appeal centers on a decision by U.S. District Judge Timothy Corrigan to replace a juror during Brownโs 2017 trial. The juror was replaced by an alternate, and Brown was ultimately convicted on 18 felony counts and sentenced to prison. AdBut in fighting the conviction, Brownโs attorneys have cited the dismissal of the juror and raised the prospect of religious discrimination. He was dismissed during jury deliberations after another juror reported concerns to Corrigan about the manโs Holy Spirit comments.
Corrine Browns co-conspirator & former aid leaves halfway house
Read full article: Corrine Browns co-conspirator & former aid leaves halfway houseRonnie Simmons, the man who was sentenced to four years in prison in connection to a bogus charity scheme, that also landed former Rep. Corrine Brown in federal prison, has been released from a halfway house, News4Jax confirmed Friday. According to the Federal Bureau of Prisons, Simmons was released on Thursday. Simmons, who was Browns former chief of staff, pleaded guilty to charges connected to the One Door for Education charity, that became a slush fund for Brown. Brown was released from prison in April after serving less than half of her five-year sentence after her attorney argued she was especially vulnerable to coronavirus.
Corrine Brown released from prison over coronavirus fears
Read full article: Corrine Brown released from prison over coronavirus fearsCorrine Brown released from prison over coronavirus fearsPublished: April 22, 2020, 7:22 pmEx-congresswoman claimed underlying health conditions put her at risk of dying if she gets COVID-19
Political expert: JEA potentially one of the worst scandals in Jacksonville history
Read full article: Political expert: JEA potentially one of the worst scandals in Jacksonville historyJACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ News4Jax political expert Rick Mullaney, former general counsel for Jacksonville, believes there is still much that hasnโt been revealed in the JEA investigation. Several City Council members were later arrested and convicted on fraud charges. Right now former Council Members Katrina Brown and Reggie Brown are awaiting sentencing on a fraud conviction. During the Morning Show on News4Jax on Thursday, Jacksonville City Council President Scott Wilson talked about the upcoming investigation. โI think any investigation that the City Council conducts going forward will provide more information," Wilson said.
Ronnie Simmons, Corrine Brown's co-conspirator, wants to leave prison early
Read full article: Ronnie Simmons, Corrine Brown's co-conspirator, wants to leave prison earlyHe's asking a federal judge to make a recommendation to the Bureau of Prisons. Typically, federal prisoners spend the last six months of their sentence in a halfway house. Simmons is scheduled to get out of a federal prison in Maryland in July 2020 and is slated to go to a halfway house in January. A halfway house placement would allow Simmons to help his mother with doctors appointments and maintain her daily living. Brown is serving a five-year sentence at a federal prison in central Florida, and is scheduled to get out in June 2022.
Corrine Brown's hearing planned for February
Read full article: Corrine Brown's hearing planned for FebruaryJACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ A federal appeals court has rescheduled a hearing in a challenge filed by former Congresswoman Corrine Brown after she was convicted in a charity scam. Circuit Court of Appeals last week scheduled the arguments on Feb. 1 in Atlanta, according to an online docket. Brown, 72, filed an appeal after she was convicted last year on 18 felony counts and sentenced to five years in prison. The dismissal came after the juror made statements such as the โHoly Ghostโ told him Brown was not guilty. Brown, who lost a re-election bid in 2016, is an inmate at the Coleman federal prison in Sumter County, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
Judges to hear arguments in Corrine Brown's appeal of her conviction
Read full article: Judges to hear arguments in Corrine Brown's appeal of her convictionJACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ A federal appeals court has announced it will hear oral arguments in former U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown's appeal of her conviction on 18 federal fraud and tax charges in the One Door for Education scheme. A panel of judges from the United States Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit will hear the arguments during the week of Dec. 10 in Atlanta. Brown's appeal is based on the removal of a juror, Juror 13, during deliberations. Brown's appellate attorney, William Kent, filed his appeals brief in March, arguing that U.S. District Court Judge Timothy Corrigan erred in dismissing the juror. Prosecutors still have time to file a reply to that appeal from Brown's attorney.
Judge declines to recommend Corrine Brown co-conspirator get out early
Read full article: Judge declines to recommend Corrine Brown co-conspirator get out earlyIn signing the order to deny Carla Wiley's motion, U.S. District Court Judge Timothy Corrigan said Wiley can still make the same request directly to the Bureau of Prisons. When federal prosecutors filed their opposition to Wileyโs motion, they said Wileyโs request is one that should be made to the Bureau of Prisons, not to the court. Wiley and Brown's former chief of staff, Ronnie Simmons, were both sentenced to prison time for their role as co-conspirators in Brown's federal corruption scandal. DOCUMENT | Judge denies Wiley's motionLegal experts said federal prisoners typically only serve 85 percent of their sentences if they show good behavior. Both Wiley and Simmons pleaded guilty and testified against Brown.
Attorney: Corrine Brown verdict should be tossed over dismissal of juror
Read full article: Attorney: Corrine Brown verdict should be tossed over dismissal of jurorLegal experts tell News4Jax that Brown's appeal is a long shot. DOCUMENTS: Corrine Brown appeal brief | Request to file lengthy appealBrown's appeal is based entirely on the dismissal of a juror during the guilt phase of her federal trial. That juror had told others on the panel that he had prayed and believed the Holy Spirit had told him Brown was not guilty. The juror responded, โNo, I said the Holy Spirit told me that.โThe juror told Corrigan he believed he could follow the court's instructions in coming to a fair judgment, but after interviewing both jurors, Corrigan decided juror No. The appeal also argues Brown's Sixth Amendment right to a unanimous verdict was also violated when the juror was dismissed.
Source: Corrine Brown to report to Central Florida prison camp
Read full article: Source: Corrine Brown to report to Central Florida prison campJACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ After a federal appeals court denied Corrine Brown's request to remain out of prison during her appeal this week, a source told the I-TEAM that Brown has been assigned to a Sumter County women's prison camp and will likely report Monday. The source said the 71-year-old former Democratic congresswoman has been assigned to a minimum-security prison camp for women that is adjacent to the Coleman Federal Correctional Complex, a medium-security federal prison for men. The prison camp is about a 2ยฝ-hour drive from Jacksonville. For some women, Alice said, the process takes two months. READ: Brown motion to delay start of prison term | Brown motion to extend appeal deadlineBrown had asked the 11th U.S.
Corrine Brown's former chief of staff ordered to home confinement
Read full article: Corrine Brown's former chief of staff ordered to home confinementJACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ Former U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown's former chief of staff Ronnie Simmons has been ordered to home confinement in Maryland until he reports to federal prison next week. Simmons' confinement was ordered Tuesday by Jacksonville Judge Timothy Corrigan, who changed the terms of Simmons' bond pending his reporting to federal prison, which is scheduled for next Monday. Simmons didn't fight the order at a hearing Wednesday, and a judge made it permanent. She told the News4Jax I-TEAM that she also notified the pretrial services office inside the federal courthouse in Jacksonville. Simmons is scheduled to report back to the Annapolis courthouse on Wednesday for a formal hearing on the new peace order.
Corrine Brown's name still on Gainesville transportation building
Read full article: Corrine Brown's name still on Gainesville transportation buildingGAINESVILLE, Fla. โ Corrine Brown's sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 4. Gainesville City Commissioners are waiting until after that date to decide on whether to keep her name on the regional transportation system building, according to WCJB. The building was named after Brown in 2014, three years before she was found guilty of 18 fraud-related charges. Brown asked twice for the sentencing hearing to be delayed, but those motions were denied. "The City Commission is aware of the court findings last week, and we are awaiting direction from them on the facility name.โAccording to WUFT, the idea of naming the building for Brown emerged during a July 2014 city commission meeting.
Corrine Brown 'blindsided' by ex-chief of staff's plea deal
Read full article: Corrine Brown 'blindsided' by ex-chief of staff's plea dealSimmons, 51, will be sentenced after Brown's trial, which is currently set for April 26. Brown's attorney was told Brown has until March 16 to decide if she will accept a plea deal on the 22 federal charges. Brown and Simmons were accused of using an unregistered charity to raise $800,000 that prosecutors said served as a personal "slush fund." โCongresswoman Brown, from the very beginning, has maintained her innocence and she's going to continue to do that throughout the trial,โ Smith said. As she left the Federal Courthouse, Brown was flanked by supporters, including Martin Luther King III.
Corrine Brown's former chief of staff pleads guilty to fraud, theft
Read full article: Corrine Brown's former chief of staff pleads guilty to fraud, theftElias "Ronnie" Simmons, Brown's former chief of staff, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and one count of theft of government propertySimmons, 51, will be sentenced after Brown's trial in April. COURT DOCUMENT: Elias 'Ronnie' Simmons plea agreementSimmons' sister, Monica Simmons Isom, was also in court Wednesday. The I-TEAM learned that Simmons' guilty plea doesn't clear her, and she may still be indicted. Her office released the following statement:"The Congresswoman was saddened today to hear about her long time chief of staff entering a plea of guilty. She maintains her innocence and in no way did she conspire with Ronnie Simmons and or Carla Wiley or anyone to commit any crime.