A.G. Gancarski
In the most high-profile current trial of any indicted Jacksonville politician, Congresswoman Corrine Brown and her chief of staff, Ronnie Simmons, appeared at the federal courthouse Tuesday for a status conference ahead of what is expected to be a trial starting in October.
The main news coming out of the event was that Tampa lawyer Greg Kehoe would immediately replace Bill Sheppard and Betsy White as Brown’s counsel.
Kehoe said he would be able to file a notice of appearance for Rep. Brown by the end of the week. Simmons, meanwhile, has a “tentative agreement” with counsel, who was not able to be present today.
White said that once discovery is relayed, that would conclude her firm’s responsibilities.
Regarding the Oct. 6 trial date, Kehoe said it was a “bit unrealistic.”
“I don’t know exactly what we’re talking about in terms of preparation,” Kehoe added, given the burden of assessing discovery.
Simmons’ lawyer will have the same burden.
Judge Klindt moved to set another status conference in this case regarding counsel for 3 p.m. Aug. 16, with another status conference to be set toward the end of the month for longer-term planning issues.
“Those are dates I think Judge Corrigan will adjust,” Klindt said, pending an expected continuance request to review discovery, ahead of a “more realistic and firm trial date.”
The Oct. 6 trial date is in place, Klindt added, pending the assignment of permanent counsel for both defendants.
The congresswoman from Florida’s 5th Congressional District, along with Simmons, plead not guilty earlier this month to 22 and 18 charges respectively, enumerated in a 46-page indictment that details years of alleged fraud and tax evasion related to the non-performing charity, One Door for Education.
Brown faces a possible 357 years in prison and $4.8 million fine if all counts are found valid. For Simmons, it would be as many as 355 years and $4.75 million, if guilty of all counts.
The federal case, predicated on 77,700 pages of discovery, is exhaustive; however, as Brown is fond of saying, indictment does not mean guilt.
After the hearing, Brown refused comment as she was walked to a waiting SUV. She bumped her head on the door jamb as she got in.
After the hearing, Simmons’ former attorney, Dan Smith, talked to media. He believes that a realistic approach would be for a trial in the spring.
Time will tell if that is the case.
