Ex-aide to former U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown pleads guilty to fraud conspiracy, theft
Source: The Fliroda-Times Union
Ronnie Simmons, former U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown’s longtime chief of staff, pleaded guilty Wednesday to a fraud conspiracy charge that strengthens the legal vise squeezing his indicted ex-boss.
Simmons, who pleaded guilty to just two of 18 charges he faced from a July indictment, also admitted stealing government money by creating a phantom job for an unnamed relative that cost the government more than $700,000 over 15 years.
“If you plead guilty, there will be no trial of any kind,” U.S. Magistrate James Klindt told Simmons before agreeingto recommend a district judge accept Simmons’ plea.
Simmons and Brown had been scheduled to go on trial in April, and Brown is still scheduled to face a federal district judge Thursday to discuss trial preparations.
Read more: http://jacksonville.com/news/2017-02-07/ex-aide-former-us-rep-corrine-brown-pleads-guilty-fraud-conspiracy-theft