Former U.S. Representative Corrine Brown of Florida was sentenced to five years in prison for committing financial crimes. She also
Brown’s longtime aide Ronnie Simmons received a prison sentence of four years followed by three years of probation. The president of One Door for Education Carla Wiley got one year prison sentence followed by three years of probation. Both Simmons and Wiley pleaded guilty and testified against Brown.
In May, a jury convicted Brown on 18 counts of financial crimes including conspiracy, mail fraud, wire fraud, tax crimes, and hiding income.
During the trial, prosecutors argued that the three committed fraud by using One Door for Education. Between 2012 and 2016, they raised more than $800,000 for the charity’s scholarship fund. However, they only gave out one scholarship for $1,200 to an unidentified person.
According to the prosecutors, Brown and Simmons used majority of the money for “personal and professional benefits. They took expensive trips, shopping excursions, and hosted lavish parties.
Brown abused her position to commit criminal conspiracy
During the sentencing on Monday, the federal judge believed Brown used her position to achieve an “admirable record of service.” However she also abused it to commit criminal conspiracy.
