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Fmr. Congresswoman Brown Found 'Guilty' Of Most Charges In Bogus Charity Case

Congresswoman Corrine Brown (D-FL5) pleads not guilty to fraud counts (June 2016)
Pressly Pratt
/
WJCT News
Congresswoman Corrine Brown (D-FL5) pleads not guilty to fraud counts (June 2016)
Congresswoman Corrine Brown (D-FL5) pleads not guilty to fraud counts (June 2016)
Credit Pressly Pratt / WJCT News
/
WJCT News
Congresswoman Corrine Brown (D-FL5) pleads not guilty to fraud counts (June 2016)

Former Congresswoman Corrine Brown has been found guilty of mail and wire fraud. She   lost her congressional district to Tallahassee Democrat Al Lawson last year amid an investigation into her ties with a charity that ultimately led to federal corruption charges.

Brown faced nearly two dozen federal charges ranging from mail fraud to filing false tax returns. At issue was her relationship with the One Door Educational Foundation and the use of dollars from the organization prosecutors said was for Brown's personal gain. The allegations dogged Brown, 70, as she fought to retain her district after it was redrawn to include Tallahassee.

Last year during a Tallahassee campaign stop Brown insisted investigations into her activities with the One Door Education Foundation was an effort to take her out of Congress:. She also told a reporter she was confident she would eventually be vindicated.

"I am clean! Goodness, clean. Yes," Brown said, to cheers from her supporters.

Thursday a Jury in Jacksonville returned guilty verdicts in 18 of 22 charges, including the most severe one: corruption. The judgment marks the end of a long political career for Brown who served in congress for 24 years. She will remain free until sentencing which could take place within the next 90 days.

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Lynn Hatter is a Florida A&M University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. Lynn has served as reporter/producer for WFSU since 2007 with education and health care issues as her key coverage areas. She is an award-winning member of the Capital Press Corps and has participated in the NPR Kaiser Health News Reporting Partnership and NPR Education Initiative. When she’s not working, Lynn spends her time watching sci-fi and action movies, writing her own books, going on long walks through the woods, traveling and exploring antique stores. Follow Lynn Hatter on Twitter: @HatterLynn.