Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiJuly 29, 2017

Corrine Brown is promoting a series of fundraisers to defray legal expenses, including a concert at Bethel Baptist Church billed as “Praise with a Purpose.” The Aug. 6 event: less than 24 hours before a hearing on motions to acquit and for a new trial on her 18 felony convictions related to assorted types of […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 14, 2017

Less than a year ago, Corrine Brown and Ronnie Simmons were yoked at the hip, as Congresswoman and Chief of Staff. Less than six months ago, both were off the federal payroll — yet yoked as co-defendants in the One Door for Education fraud case. Much has changed since then. Simmons struck a plea deal with the feds […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 9, 2017

Is the Holy Spirit an external force? That concept is, improbably, what the appeal for a new trial of convicted former U.S. Congresswoman Corrine Brown is predicated upon. Meanwhile, Brown’s lawyers also filed an acquittal motion late Thursday, contending that the government did not prove its case, as some One Door money went toward charity, and there was no […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 22, 2017

Federal Judge Timothy Corrigan is expected to sentence Corrine Brown later this summer on 18 counts related to a fraudulent educational charity, “One Door for Education.” Brown is not the only One Door participant that will be sentenced by Corrigan, as Carla Wiley — the CEO of the charity — will also be sentenced by Corrigan, Wiley’s sentence […]

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. GancarskiApril 5, 2017

Prologue: Nine months ago, a 24 count federal indictment dropped. It changed Jacksonville politics — forever. Former U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown and her chief of staff, Ronnie Simmons, were named as co-defendants in a federal suit about One Door for Education. One Door was a charity, marketed with Brown’s name and likeness, that did a great job bringing money […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 27, 2017

Former Rep. Corrine Brown has the best sense of theater of any politician in Northeast Florida. And she gave a Jacksonville TV station a one-woman show. Brown, facing an April 5 status conference and an April trial for almost two dozen counts in federal court, stands alone now. Her co-defendant and chief of staff, Ronnie Simmons, pleaded […]

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 […]

Tag: One Door for Education

God and the grift: Corrine Brown’s last hustle

Corrine Brown’s motions will fail, says Ronnie Simmons’ lawyer

Corrine Brown motions seek new trial, acquittal after fraud conviction

Carla Wiley ‘One Door’ sentencing moved to Judge Timothy Corrigan

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

No plea deal: Corrine Brown gears up for epic late-April fraud trial

Comeback kid? Corrine Brown begins defense in explosive TV interview

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