A.G. Gancarski
A former Congresswoman turned convict has been released from federal prison this week.
Corrine Brown was released from federal prison because of coronavirus concerns, according to a Brown spiritual adviser.
News of Brown’s release was first reported by Action News Jax.
Brown, convicted of 18 felony counts in the One Door for Education fraud case, had filed a motion for release earlier this month, then withdrew it.
Formerly housed at the Coleman prison camp in North Florida, Brown appealed for “compassionate release” previously.
The Democrat, who represented Jacksonville and various other areas tacked onto her district from 1992 to 2016, used the federal First Step Act to support her appeal for clemency.
Despite federal law being in her favor, the filing noted that Brown’s appeal with the Bureau of Prisons was rejected and thus her constructive remedies were “exhausted.”
Brown, 73, suffers from high blood pressure, sleep apnea, low estrogen, and acid reflux, lives without a thyroid, and has a heart murmur, the filing contended.
“Her condition is compounded by diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, hypothyroidism, sleep apnea, an elevated heart rate, feet deformity, lumbar lateral shift/back problems, knee osteoarthritis, cataracts and a B12 deficiency, which causes weakness and fatigue. Due to the poor ventilation system in the housing units, her allergies have worsened causing swollen eyes and sinus problems,” the filing contends.
These conditions, often ones that lead to terminal decline over time, have caused asthma and dyspnea, shortness of breath that would prove “fatal” if she got COVID-19.
Coleman prisoners are petitioning for federal redress, contending that prison officials did not protect them from Legionnaire’s Disease and won’t protect them from coronavirus.
Brown’s filing shared that pessimism.
“All of these conditions are now experienced under the constant threat of COVID-19 infection, which given Brown’s age and medical conditions put her at great risk of death.”
“The prison camp is not an environment in which inmates and staff can practice the required social isolation directed by the President and Centers for Disease Control, and once COVID-19 enters the camp it will become a source of immediate and irreversible social communication of the virus,” the filing continues.
Brown was convicted in 2017 and sentenced to five years, found guilty on dozens of charges relating to the fraudulent use of money raised for a largely non-performing scholarship fund.
Corrine Brown released from Federal Prison, Bishop Kelvin Cobaris spoke to her moments ago" It was a relief, to make sure she is safe at home. The family is asking for privacy as they reunite and get her settled in." @ActionNewsJax https://t.co/BidGDkm3KV pic.twitter.com/j1BXxAZz1V
— Paige Kelton (@PaigeANjax) April 22, 2020
6 comments
Mary
April 22, 2020 at 5:17 pm
What a miscarriage of justice this is. I find it unbelievable that this criminal has been let out of prison for palliative reasons. What about the children that she stole education funds from and used them for her own gain? Where is the justice for them? If Ms. Brown was really the good Christian that she wants people to believe that she is, she wouldn’t have used her position for her own financial gain. Nor would she have gotten convicted of conspiracy, fraud and income tax evasion. What a sham, serving 28 months of a 5 year sentence. Shame on the Federal justice system.
Frankie M.
April 22, 2020 at 6:26 pm
Shame on the penal system for not locking up this octagenarian and making her serve out the rest of her sentence. If she were white she wouldn’t have been prosecuted. If she was she’d be on probation. Mayor Curry and the city council robbed DCPS of millions last year so their donors could get a kickback. Nobody’s calling to lock them up? We need to make an example of black people like Corrine Brown #lockherup
p.s. How soon before she can run for office again? Just like Jimmy Hoffa Ms. Brown gets shit done.
Johny Reb "seber" Trump
April 22, 2020 at 7:51 pm
There you go again Frankie, playing the race card. Is that all you have, its getting old.. She is a convicted FELON, she cannot run for office again.. Why dont you go take. her a cup of chicken soup 🙂 What she gets done is stealing taxpayers money, yes, she does get that done you fool
Frankie M.
April 22, 2020 at 8:46 pm
I’m not afraid to sound the dog whistle. I agree. She is old. Set her free like Trump’s attorney Michael Cohen…where is your faux outrage for that Seber? Oh right…#lockherup
Better the thief you know than the one in the White House 😆 Even ex-felons can vote now. Must keep you up at nite Seber.
Johny Reb "seber" Trump
April 23, 2020 at 5:45 am
Most of the ex felons are to dumb to vote if you know what I mean lol. Cohen should still be in jail, I dont think any criminals should be let out of jail period for the virus sake. Keep them sheltered in place and deal with them.
Jennifer Winston
April 25, 2020 at 6:47 am
Totally agree if she had voted for Trump she will be free
Comments are closed.