FL Congresswoman Spent Charity Money On Vacations, Car Repairs And Beyonce Concert: Indictment

U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown of Florida and her chief of staff have been indicted on 24 fraud counts for allegedly using more than $800,000 raised for charity on themselves as "a personal slush fund," according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

The One Door For Education charity financed lavish vacations and accommodations at concerts and sporting events for Brown and Elias "Ronnie" Simmons, her chief of staff from Laurel, Maryland, the indictment says.

The charity's president, Carla Wiley, pleaded guilty earlier this year to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, after she was found to have made deposits of more than $800,000 to the charity but only donated $1,200.

Her charges include mail and wire fraud, conspiracy, obstruction and filing of false tax returns.

"It is incredibly disappointing that an elected official, who took an oath year after year to serve others, would exploit the needs of children and abuse the charitable hearts of constituents to advance her own personal and political agendas and deliver them with virtually nothing," Michelle S. Klimt, special agent in charge of the FBI Jacksonville Division, said in a press release.

Here's what the indictment says:

• Over a four-year period in which it raised the $800,000, One Door only made two donations — a $1,000 gift to a scholarship and a $200 donation to an unidentified person.
• More than $200,000 was spent on hosting personal events; "lavish receptions" at a Washington, D.C., conference; and luxury boxes at a Beyonce concert and Jacksonville Jaguars game.
• Other charity money was spent on repairs to Brown's cars and vacations to Los Angeles, Miami and the Bahamas.
• She hosted the Corrine Brown Invitational Golf Tournament in 2013. Invitations were sent out with the official House of Representatives seal, asking for donations of anywhere between $125 and $20,000. The money was supposed to go to a local scholarship fund, but none of it was ever donated.
• "The vast majority" of the money was used for Brown and Wiley's personal gain, and some money was deposited directly to personal bank accounts.

You can read the full indictment here.