Watch CBS News

US Rep. Brown Indicted For Alleged Role In Fraud Scheme

Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (CBSMiami/AP) —  U.S. Rep. Corinne Brown and her chief of staff were indicted Friday for their alleged roles in a fraud scheme.

Brown,69, and Elias "Ronnie" Simmons, 50, are now facing a 24-count indictment .

The two are accused of participating in a conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, concealing material facts on financial disclosure forms, theft of government property, obstruction of due administration of the internal revenue laws and filing false tax returns.

During a tumultuous press conference back in March, the Jacksonville Democrat said "I'm clean" after being asked multiple times about the investigation into the fraud scheme.

Brown maintained there was an "organized" effort to oust her but declined to say who was behind it. Brown said her lawyers had told her to "zip it."

(TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and
Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be
published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.