► U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown (D-FL): Today’s Public Official Misfit Print
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U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown (D-FL): Today’s Public Official Misfit

 

For the past thirty-six years (1982 to 2016), Corrine has had her significant snout firmly implanted in the public trough. Apparently, Corrine had difficulty finding a job as a greeter at the Walmart Supercenter Store on Beach Blvd in Jacksonville, Florida.

 

In early July 2016, Corrine was the subject of a 24-count federal indictment that charged her and her chief of staff, Ronnie Simmons of using her office as a member of Congress to help solicit at least $800,000 in contributions for a sham education charity. Federal prosecutors said that Corrine spent the contributions on things such as:

  • Made deposits to her personal bank account
  • $5,000 for a magazine cover that featured Corrine
  • $3,000 for Miami Beach vacation for Corrine and Ronnie
  • $2,463 for repair work on Corrine’s personal car
  • Paid for luxury boxes during a Beyoncé concert in DC
  • Paid for luxury box seats to attend NFL games between Redskins and Jaguars

Court documents outline allegations that Brown and Simmons took money from the foundation, made cash deposits into their personal bank accounts and used the money to pay for a bevy of personal items — including $5,000 for a magazine cover featuring Brown, nearly $3,000 for a 2013 Miami Beach vacation taken by Wiley and Simmons and $2,643 for repair work on Brown’s personal car.

 

According to the indictment, $200,000 in One Door for Education funds were also used to pay for events either hosted by Brown or held in her honor, including the use of luxury boxes during a Beyoncé concert in Washington and an NFL game between the Washington Redskins and Jacksonville Jaguars.

 

The crux of the 24-count federal indictment unsealed Friday are accusations that Brown and her chief of staff, Ronnie Simmons, used her official post as a member of Congress to help solicit $800,000 in contributions for a sham education charity. Most of that money, prosecutors say, was spent on things like vacations, events in Brown’s honor and car repairs.

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If convicted, Brown, 69, could face up to 357 years in prison and $4.8 million in fines, while Simmons could get up to 355 years and a $4.7 million fine. Both pleaded not guilty to each charge outlined in the indictment.

 

After being arraigned and released on a $50,000 bond, Corrine laughingly said:

  • “I’m looking forward to my speedy day in court to vindicate myself.” Brown said, concluding,
  • “I’ll see you all in jail, I’m sorry I mean court.”

The last thing Corrine will do in my opinion is allow herself to face a jury. If convicted, she faces up to 357 years in jail and fines totally $4.8 million. Therefore, it should be long before Corrine cops a plea for a shortened prison sentence.

 

As we speak (ca. July 2016), Corrine continues to bring home the bacon via a government check $3,346 per week ($174,000 per year) as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.