Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiMay 11, 2017

Former U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown faced myriad federal counts related to conspiracy to defraud via what prosecutors call a fake charity: “One Door for Education.” Those charges include conspiracy to commit and aiding and abetting wire and mail fraud, and multiple counts of fraudulent filing of federal tax returns. FloridaPolitics.com delivered deep-dive coverage of the entire trial: jury selection; opening statements; […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 24, 2017

For decades, Corrine Brown (Jacksonville’s longtime Democratic Congresswoman) served many functions. And the witness list at her trial, which starts Monday, reflects that. This may be the trial of a generation. It certainly has generational resonance for political types: of donors and behind-the-scenes types, of glad handers and hangers on, and of real-deal active politicians … past […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 9, 2017

It was never supposed to be like this for Corrine Brown. The now-former twelve-term United States Congresswoman was one of the leading politicos in Jacksonville, upbraiding media that crossed her, and picking winners and losers in primary and general elections alike. The slogan: Corrine Delivers. The end of that era: July 6, 2016, when Brown and […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 8, 2017

On Wednesday, Ronnie Simmons, a co-defendant in the One Door for Education trial with Rep. Corrine Brown, pleaded guilty to two federal felony counts. The timing was notable, as Brown and Simmons were slated to appear at a joint status conference on Thursday for jury selection for the April trial. The symbiosis between Brown and Simmons, her […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 7, 2017

The twists and turns of the trial of Corrine Brown and her former chief of staff, Ronnie Simmons, continue even after she’s become a historical footnote in Washington, D.C. The latest sudden development: a “change of plea” hearing that Simmons scheduled for Wednesday afternoon. Simmons had previously attempted to sever his case from that of his former […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 25, 2016

Tuesday’s status conference for Rep. Corrine Brown and her chief of staff, Ronnie Simmons, in a Jacksonville federal court laid out the basic framework for a multi-week trial beginning in April, involving dozens of witnesses, including members of Jacksonville’s donor class. Meanwhile, there seemed to be daylight between strategy and preparation between the lawyers for Brown and Simmons, suggesting […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 25, 2016

Neither U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown nor her chief of staff Ronnie Simmons are required to be at Tuesday’s status conference in their federal trial. However, in the light of potential motions filed last week, Tuesday’s status conference nonetheless may offer a preview of what will happen for the next few months leading up to the trial. The defense listed […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 19, 2016

On Tuesday, both the prosecution and the defense filed a list of potential pre-trial motions in Rep. Corrine Brown‘s trial in 2017. In doing so, both sides have illustrated their strategies. The defense listed a motion to admit admissible character evidence; a motion to sever defendants; and a motion to dismiss. These illustrate that Brown may contend […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 22, 2016

We broke the story last week of Corrine Brown reporting under $25K cash on hand for her campaign, and we also got her to admit, in a profanity-peppered presser, that her campaign was underfunded, and her legal issues were contributing further to her financial malaise. Now, with the end almost near, Rep. Brown is taking to Blogspot with […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 13, 2016

On Friday, Rep. Corrine Brown and Chief of Staff Elias Simmons plead not guilty to 24 federal counts related to One Door for Education. The charity, which allegedly was used as a slush fund by Brown instead of actually benefiting education, has been reported on widely in the press, especially regarding transactions that involved money being taken […]

Tag: Carla Wiley

Corrine Brown trial coverage: GUILTY on 18 counts; motion for new trial pending

In Corrine Brown’s trial, a chapter of Jacksonville history will be written

Corrine Brown won’t plead guilty, rebuffed in request for trial delay

Ronnie Simmons pleads guilty to two counts in One Door for Education case

Corrine Brown co-defendant sets ‘change of plea’ hearing for Wednesday

Corrine Brown/Ronnie Simmons fraud trial pushed back to April 2017

Status conference in Corrine Brown trial slated for Tuesday

Potential motions reveal strategy in Corrine Brown case may be to ‘sever defendants’

Running on empty: send money now, says Corrine Brown

Feds link Carla Wiley case to Corrine Brown