Former U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown will spend five years in federal prison for her role in a corruption conspiracy that involved stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from a fake education charity for needy children.
The former U.S. congresswoman, 71, was convicted in May of 18 counts of conspiracy, fraud and filing false tax returns.
Brown gets 5 years. Her chief of staff Ronnie Simmons gets 4 and One Door for Education founder Carla Wiley gets 21 months. Earliest she may go to prison is January 8. Her lawyer says he'll appeal
— Ryan Benk (@_RyanBenk) December 4, 2017
Former Brown chief of staff, Ronnie Simmons, and his ex-girlfriend, Carla Wiley, both of whom cooperated in the case against the longtime lawmaker, were also sentenced Monday to prison time for their role in the conspiracy.
Wiley, who founded the bogus charity at the center of the corruption case, was given 21 months in prison with three years of probation and will have to pay $252 month in restitution, according to our News4Jax partner.
Simmons was sentenced to four years in prison, News4Jax reported.
Both Simmons and Wiley pleaded guilty and testified against Brown, 71. Prosecutors sought lighter sentences for them, citing their immediate cooperation in the case.
Monday's sentencing hearing marked the final chapter of a legal saga that unfolded over the last 17 months since the 12-term congresswoman's career-ending indictment.
Brown, 71, was at the center of a scheme that collected hundreds of thousands of dollars for One Door for Education, an unregistered charity -- funds that were used instead to pad a lavish lifestyle that far exceeded the lawmaker's means.
BREAKING NEWS: Judge sentences #CorrineBrown to 5 years in prison, 3-year supervised release in federal fraud case. pic.twitter.com/0Fd970wz25
— News4JAX (@wjxt4) December 4, 2017
BREAKING | Corrine Brown's former Chief of Staff Ronnie Simmons sentenced to 48 months in jail. https://t.co/cgZzYCFjcd pic.twitter.com/BZtCRA3sPK
— News4JAX (@wjxt4) December 4, 2017
BREAKING | Judge sentences Carla Wiley to 21 months in prison, 3-year supervised release. #CorrineBrown https://t.co/VgzyeR8rLZ pic.twitter.com/sAabIbQsL5
— News4JAX (@wjxt4) December 4, 2017
#CorrineBrown supporter Terry Napoleon Gillium says "if you look in anybody's past, you're going to find something." Says case is about racism @WJCTJax pic.twitter.com/mGKtqfynnJ
— Ryan Benk (@_RyanBenk) December 4, 2017
I'll have more on the judge's decision this evening on @WJCTJax 89.9 fm
— Ryan Benk (@_RyanBenk) December 4, 2017
But prosecutors are asking for more than $1 million in restitution and at least 5 years in prison. Brown asked for leniency during sentencing hearing - calling on Judge Timothy Corrigan yo take into account her entire life in public service.
— Ryan Benk (@_RyanBenk) December 4, 2017
Brown was convicted on 18 counts of fraud and tax evasion, mostly stemming from her role in a bogus charity. There are no minimum sentencing requirements for the crimes
— Ryan Benk (@_RyanBenk) December 4, 2017
Waiting outside federal courthouse in downtown Jacksonville for former Congresswoman #CorrineBrown's sentencing. Can't get inside because of recording equipment, but will be ready for when lawyers exit building.
— Ryan Benk (@_RyanBenk) December 4, 2017
