The day of reckoning for Corrine Brown, former Democratic Representative from Florida, was swift and painful. With a bang of the gavel, Judge Timothy Corrigan sent her to prison for five years – with three years of probation after time served. Ronnie Simmons, Brown's chief of staff, received a four-year sentence with an additional three years of probation.
Brown – in case you require a refresher – was found guilty of 18 felonies – from mail fraud to corruption and all points in between – for bilking her money-laundering charity for hundreds of thousands of dollars, which she used to pay for sparkly objects, designer clothes, and fancy vacations. Representative Maxine Waters (D-CA) almost lost her standing as the rags-to-riches doyenne of the ghetto vote for living in a mansion well beyond her government salary (yes, it seems people are digging into her finances too). But Brown was apprehended with her hand in the till, and the story of her gluttony and greed is almost complete – although she may well take the increasingly trendy option of blaming everyone but herself in her own “tell-all” book.
Judge Corrigan weighed the evidence and reserved Brown her very own room at the Big House.
However, in a kind gesture towards the 71-year-old felon, Corrigan allowed Brown to remand herself into custody no earlier than January 8, 2018, seemingly to avoid handcuffs and potential media circus.
Um, what media circus? A quick internet search shows no coverage from CNN, MSNBC, ABC, CBS or NBC. But Americans have come to terms with the extreme leftist media and seeks their daily dose of reality from other sources.
Bad, Bad Corrine Brown
But back to Brown – a founding member of the James Brown Wig Club – and the legacy she will leave to her country and her family. She burst on the Florida political scene in the 1980s and was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1992. At that time, she was one of only three Black Americans elected from Florida since reconstruction. She was an influencer in her time, and before her flamboyant style and love of other people’s money stole her soul, she curried favor with hundreds of people along her trek back and forth from The Swamp. Even the judge recognized what had once created her “fighter for the people” persona:
“This is a sad day for everyone,” said Corrigan after sentencing Brown to prison. “I was impressed with all the outpouring of support for you, and I think it’s a tribute to all the work you’ve done over the years. That’s what makes this all the more tragic.”
“This was a crime born of entitlement and greed, committed to supporting a lifestyle that was beyond their means,” said Corrigan. “Just think of the good that could have been done with that money if it would have been used for its intended purpose.”
Hokey Pokey
Brown, for once, stayed silent as the sentence was read, then walked stoically out of the courtroom flanked by her lawyer, daughter, and local media. That fancy jet-set lifestyle, replete with purple pantsuits, day-long shopping trips, and all the barbecue joints along the way (she was subpoenaed at one of her favorites) is over. Or not, as a statement she released portends:
“While I respect the jury's decision, I disagree with it, and I want to make it clear that I maintain my innocence. I did not commit these crimes, and I intend to file a motion for a new trial. I will continue to stand on my record of decades of faithful service to this community and the nation. I have a long record of charitable service to the community and that will continue even during this process. I want to thank my family and friends for their prayers and support during this difficult time. I ask that you continue to pray for and support me. This fight is not over and as I'm sure you know, I will continue to fight to clear my name and restore my reputation."
Well, good luck with that reputation restoration plan; the media-at-large isn’t even covering your predicament, for crying out loud. They have already forgotten you, Corrine. Claim Russian collusion if you want their attention.
The rest of us will not forget your criminal behavior or how you managed to blame everyone but your own sticky fingers. Oh, the good you could’ve accomplished; blazing a trail for other women of color, and bringing home the bacon, year after year to the Sunshine State. But you just couldn’t resist temptation and you are soon off to the pokey. Shameful.
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