U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown, D-Fla., and her chief of staff, Elias “Ronnie” Simmons, are facing multiple counts of fraud and other charges related to an educational charity tied to the congresswoman, according to a federal indictment. Federal prosecutors allege Brown, 69, and Simmons, 50, misled donors while soliciting donations for One Door for Education, under the guise of funding scholarships for minority students, raising more than $800,000. Instead, prosecutors say Brown, Simmons and Carla Wiley, the head of the charity, diverted the funds to their own accounts. Of all the money raised, the 24-count indictment states, only $1,200 was awarded as scholarships. Greg goes on to say a large portion went onto underwriting lavish events. As part of their fundraising, Brown, Simmons and Wiley spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on events including a golf tournament in Ponte Vedra, Fla., and the use of luxury boxes for an NFL game and a Beyoncé concert. Wiley pleaded guilty earlier this year to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown And Staffer Indicted On Federal Fraud Charges
