COURTROOM SKETCHES: Simmons, Wiley express regret before judge
FULL RECAP: 'I'm sorry:' Co-defendants in former Rep. Corrine Brown fraud case plead to avoid prison
1:20 p.m. update: Federal sentencing hearing wrapped up after three hours. Judge Corrigan said he will hand down the sentences on Dec. 4.
Corrine Brown will be in federal court Thursday for her sentencing hearing. Brown's lawyer, James Smith, was in the hearings for Carla Wiley and Ronnie Simmons, taking notes.
He said Brown will speak at her hearing.
Prosecution on possibility of probation for #CorrineBrown: “It’s just not an option.” Brown’s attorney @JamesSmith3d is in the courtroom taking notes. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/KUpABLVkSw
— Jenna Bourne (@jennabourneWTSP) November 15, 2017
Prosecution says #CorrineBrown lied on the witness stand. Sure to come up tomorrow during the former congresswoman’s sentencing hearing on Thursday. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/L8DSd6TYWI
— Jenna Bourne (@jennabourneWTSP) November 15, 2017
Ronnie Simmons & Carla Wiley’s sentencing hearing just wrapped up after about 3 hours. Judge will hand down their sentences on Dec. 4. #CorrineBrown in court tomorrow for sentencing hearing. pic.twitter.com/euvZ0OnJB3
— Jenna Bourne (@jennabourneWTSP) November 15, 2017
Prosecution: “What Ronnie Simmons engaged in with #CorrineBrown was deplorable conduct… It was an affront to their constituents.” @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/5yvco8sLvM
— Jenna Bourne (@jennabourneWTSP) November 15, 2017
1 p.m. update: Ronnie Simmons spoke before the judge, apologizing for his actions and asking for a second opportunity.
His mother, Frances Simmons, also spoke, saying “We all make mistakes, lose our ways.”
She says incarceration won't allow Ronnie Simmons to repay society as fully as he could mentoring young people.
His attorney has proposed Ronnie Simmons do a radio show as part of his sentence.
Ronnie Simmons spoke before judge and apologized for his actions. Asked judge to give him a "2nd opportunity" @ActionNewsJax @wokvnews #CorrineBrown
— Lorena Inclán (@LorenaANjax) November 15, 2017
11:30 a.m. udpate: Judge denies Carla Wiley's request for "minor role reduction" but grants two motions that reduce sentencing guidelines for Wiley and Simmons.
He agreed to the “substantial assistance motions” that reduce their sentencing guidelines because of their assistance in Corrine Brown's trial.
For Wiley, the judge accepted the prosecution’s recommendation of a guideline ranging of 21 to 27 months in prison, which is a reduction from the probation officer’s recommendation of 41 to 51 months.
The judge also accepted the prosecution’s recommendation of a guideline range of 33 to 41 months in prison for Ronnie Simmons, a reduction from his probation officer’s recommendation of 57 to 71 months.
The judge clarified that his acceptance of the reduced guideline ranges does not mean the sentences he hands down for Wiley and Simmons will actually fall within those ranges. It could be below or above range based on other considerations.
“I've looked forward to this day for quite some time because you get to hear my voice," Wiley said to the judge during the hearing. "And also to say I’m sorry to everyone who has been affected by my actions. I can’t say I’m sorry enough. There was a lot of money taken and again, I’m sorry.”
Wiley chose to make a statement during the morning session of the hearing. Simmons will be allowed the opportunity to speak when the hearing continues after a short break.
“I am someone who made a mistake," Wiley said. “It got out of control very quickly and sometimes when things get out of control, you don’t know how to bring them back.”
Carla Wiley to the judge: “I can’t say I’m sorry enough.” About to go live at noon on CBS47 @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/71GNfubYFw
— Jenna Bourne (@jennabourneWTSP) November 15, 2017
Sentencing hearings for Carla Wiley & Ronnie Simmons just began at 10, but judge has already made some big decisions. I'll be live at noon on CBS47 @ActionNewsJax with the latest. #CorrineBrown pic.twitter.com/XDEWxeS6pv
— Jenna Bourne (@jennabourneWTSP) November 15, 2017
Ronnie Simmons’ attorney on his decision to testify against #CorrineBrown: “It was, in fact, turning in his mother… He also had to turn his back on anyone he knew.” @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/gC9U2WDvqj
— Jenna Bourne (@jennabourneWTSP) November 15, 2017
Prosecutor on relationship b/w #CorrineBrown & Ronnie Simmons: “She was basically his entire world. That decision had to be gut-wrenching, heart-aching… It was a relationship that was like no other that I’ve seen.” @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/hZijfUakt9
— Jenna Bourne (@jennabourneWTSP) November 15, 2017
#CorrineBrown attorney James Smith taking notes in the back row of the courtroom during Carla Wiley & Ronnie Simmons sentencing hearing pic.twitter.com/fcyk8WKFvN
— Jenna Bourne (@jennabourneWTSP) November 15, 2017
Carla Wiley’s attorney: “While she bought the car and she gave the keys to Mr. Simmons… in this offense, the extent of her benefit, the extent of her involvement, the extent of her influence and decision making were minor in contrast to the other two people charged in this case" pic.twitter.com/0jYXeiO6d8
— Jenna Bourne (@jennabourneWTSP) November 15, 2017
Carla Wiley’s attorney questioned why #CorrineBrown’s daughter Shantrel Brown was not prosecuted as an accomplice. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/jypWJHoF0V
— Jenna Bourne (@jennabourneWTSP) November 15, 2017
Judge made it clear his acceptance of reduced guideline ranges does not mean the sentences he hands down for Wiley and Simmons will actually fall within those ranges. Could be below or above range. #CorrineBrown @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/kNiXWwxhia
— Jenna Bourne (@jennabourneWTSP) November 15, 2017
For Ronnie Simmons, judge accepted prosecution’s recommendation of guideline rage of 33-41 months in prison, a reduction from probation officer’s recommendation of 57-71 months. #CorrineBrown @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/su3MF2DIiF
— Jenna Bourne (@jennabourneWTSP) November 15, 2017
For Carla Wiley, judge accepted prosecution’s recommendation of guideline rage of 21-27 months in prison, a reduction from probation officer’s recommendation of 41-51 months. #CorrineBrown @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/jSeWqChjvs
— Jenna Bourne (@jennabourneWTSP) November 15, 2017
Judge accepted government’s “substantial assistance motions” for Wiley and Simmons, agreeing to reduce both their sentencing guidelines b/c of their assistance in convicted #CorrineBrown @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/NVBQeTrhO0
— Jenna Bourne (@jennabourneWTSP) November 15, 2017
Blunt words from judge when he denied Carla Wiley’s request for “minor role reduction” in sentence: “I don’t think it’s particularly a close call.” #CorrineBrown @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/jyLEZoNRgK
— Jenna Bourne (@jennabourneWTSP) November 15, 2017
Judge denied Carla Wiley’s request for “minor role reduction.” Attorneys said her role in scheme was minor, making her less culpable than #CorrineBrown or Ronnie Simmons. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/sWDSHDM2Vn
— Jenna Bourne (@jennabourneWTSP) November 15, 2017
10 a.m. update: Carla Wiley and Ronnie Simmons have arrived to their sentencing hearings.
Carla Wiley just entered the courtroom. She and ex-boyfriend Ronnie Simmons are here for sentencing hearings, which should start any moment. @ActionNewsJax https://t.co/Sr0gqe1jW0
— Jenna Bourne (@jennabourneWTSP) November 15, 2017
Ronnie Simmons just walked into the courtroom. Sentencing scheduled to begin in about 10 min. https://t.co/Sr0gqe1jW0 #CorrineBrown @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/0qtGSlycSK
— Jenna Bourne (@jennabourneWTSP) November 15, 2017
Ronnie Simmons just arrived. His attorney tells me he expects his cooperation w/ Feds to be a factor @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/6nHDoYMUXi
— Lorena Inclán (@LorenaANjax) November 15, 2017
Carla Wiley just walked into courthouse. She didn't answer media questions @ActionNewsJax @WOKVNews #CorrineBrown pic.twitter.com/TA86hXxty9
— Lorena Inclán (@LorenaANjax) November 15, 2017
WATCH LIVE: Corrine Brown’s former chief of staff Ronnie Simmons and ex-president of ‘bogus’ charity Carla Wiley to appear at sentence hearings in Jacksonville:
Posted by Action News Jax on Wednesday, November 15, 2017
Former Congresswoman Corrine Brown is set to appear at the sentencing hearing on Wednesday of her former chief of staff Ronnie Simmons and Carla Wiley, the president of the charity they’re all accused of stealing from.
Brown’s sentencing hearing will be on Thursday, three months after she was convicted on 18 counts for stealing from a charity, filing false tax returns and more.
LIST: Brown found guilty on 18 counts in federal fraud trial
James Smith, Brown's attorney told Action News Jax that Brown will make a statement to the courtroom on Thursday, asking Judge Timothy Corrigan to take her decades of public service into account and thanking her supporters.
“The people who are labeled as victims, the donors, many of them still to this day love and support the congresswoman and really don’t believe the charges and can’t believe that she’s in this situation,” said Smith.
Smith revealed that some of those “victims” will be among as many as 22 people speaking in support of Brown on Thursday.
“I don’t want to give away too much, but I think you can expect that at least a couple of those people the government is going to try to list as victims will actually be speaking on behalf of Congresswoman Brown,” said Smith.
The judge won’t announce his decisions on Brown’s, Simmons’ or Wiley’s sentences until Dec. 4
Recapping Corrine Brown SentencingFormer Congresswoman Corrine Brown hopes to avoid prison time. We're live in the Harrell & Harrell, P.A. Performance Studio with Action News Jax Jenna Bourne Action News Jax, and WOKV's Stephanie Brown recapping her convictions and what to expect from sentencing hearings this week.
Posted by News 104.5 WOKV on Tuesday, November 14, 2017
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