Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiDecember 4, 2017

The slogan of purported educational charity One Door for Education was “we make your educational dreams a reality.” On Monday, Corrine Brown and her co-conspirators in the years-long scheme got an education of her own about reality. That reality: a future of incarceration and reimbursement of those defrauded over the course of years on their […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 16, 2017

Thursday saw Corrine Brown make her case for sentence leniency in Jacksonville’s federal courthouse, ahead of a Dec. 4 sentencing date. Brown, convicted of 18 felony counts in the One Door for Education fraud case this year, saw her co-conspirators turn on her in the trial; their “substantial cooperation” may earn them shorter prison stretches. Prosecutors insist on Brown […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 16, 2017

Thursday sees Corrine Brown making a case for sentence leniency in Jacksonville’s federal courthouse. Brown was convicted of 18 felony counts in the One Door for Education fraud case this year. Her two co-conspirators, charity CEO Carla Wiley and former Brown chief of staff Ronnie Simmons, came out of Wednesday’s hearing looking at shorter prison […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 15, 2017

Wednesday saw Carla Wiley and Ronnie Simmons in Jacksonville’s federal courthouse for sentencing hearings in the One Door for Education case. Wiley, the former CEO of the sham charity, and Simmons, Wiley’s former boyfriend who was also Corrine Brown‘s chief of staff, are to be sentenced Dec. 4 along with former Rep. Brown. The only question left to answer: will […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 15, 2017

Wednesday sees Carla Wiley and Ronnie Simmons in Jacksonville’s federal courthouse for sentencing hearings in the One Door for Education case. Wiley, the former CEO of the sham charity, and Simmons, Wiley’s former boyfriend who was also Corrine Brown‘s chief of staff, will not be sentenced Wednesday. Rather, the sentence will be rendered Dec. 4. Both Wiley and […]

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 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 […]

Tag: Ronnie Simmons

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Expect uneventful One Door sentencing hearing Wednesday

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Corrine Brown motions seek new trial, acquittal after fraud conviction

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