Former Congresswoman Corrine Brown has been found guilty of mail and wire fraud. She lost her congressional district to Tallahassee Democrat Al Lawson last year amid an investigation into her ties with a charity that ultimately led to federal corruption charges.
Brown faced nearly two dozen federal charges ranging from mail fraud to filing false tax returns. At issue was her relationship with the One Door Educational Foundation and the use of dollars from the organization prosecutors said was for Brown's personal gain. The allegations dogged Brown, 70, as she fought to retain her district after it was redrawn to include Tallahassee.
Last year during a Tallahassee campaign stop Brown insisted investigations into her activities with the One Door Education Foundation was an effort to take her out of Congress:. She also told a reporter she was confident she would eventually be vindicated.
"I am clean! Goodness, clean. Yes," Brown said, to cheers from her supporters.
Thursday a Jury in Jacksonville returned guilty verdicts in 18 of 22 charges, including the most severe one: corruption. The judgment marks the end of a long political career for Brown who served in congress for 24 years. She will remain free until sentencing which could take place within the next 90 days.
