A.G. Gancarski
Jacksonville City Councilman Reggie Gaffney was an eagerly-awaited prosecution witness in the trial of Corrine Brown.
Despite being on the witness list, Gaffney — a longtime friend and confidant of Brown — was not called to testify in the trial.
And FloridaPolitics.com has Gaffney’s exclusive take on why that is.
Gaffney’s theory: his narrative was inconsistent with the story the federal prosecutors wanted to tell … which is something they finally realized after two meetings with Gaffney, whose “Community Rehabilitation Center” and “CRC Transportation” were discussed at length during the trial.
Gaffney said his testimony was “consistent,” suggesting “that’s why they didn’t use me.”
Gaffney, whose CRC Transportation gave Brown money, described it as a “gift” to a friend — and said it was used for charitable purposes.
“I knew she was doing the right thing with my money,” Gaffney said. “I knew she was doing the right thing for the community … some of your constituents need things.”
“I gave money as a friend,” Gaffney said.
Gaffney, who said that Brown and “everybody called [him] with needs” ranging from bills to kids’ clothes, didn’t think twice about giving Brown money years ago.
He saw it as a way to “help the community.”
Gaffney also contended that, contrary to the assertions of those from other Jacksonville non-profits, Brown actually gave to his non-profit CRC during the period being investigated.
“Staff saw her bring stuff,” Gaffney said, and sometimes Brown would call CRC for a pick-up.
Was Gaffney scratched from the prosecution witness list because his narrative was inconsistent with the prosecution argument?
If so, expect that Gaffney’s testimony — along with that of jurors who claim the trial was rigged — will fuel the fire of those who claim that the trial was rigged against Corrine Brown.
