Congresswoman Corrine Brown proclaimed her innocence but otherwise refused to answer Action News Jax's questions about the U.S. House ethics investigation into her actions.
“I am clean! Goodness, clean!” said Brown.
That investigative subcommittee is looking into allegations that Brown used campaign funds for personal purposes, failed to comply with tax laws, improperly solicited charitable donations and more.
The head of One Door for Education, a charity with close ties to Brown, pleaded guilty to wire fraud weeks ago.
The House Ethics Committee’s announcement also implied the Department of Justice may already be investigating.
Action News Jax asked Brown whether she thought the people she represents have the right to know what’s going on with their elected official.
“No question about it. But do you think that if I’ve hired a team of attorneys and they told me to zip it or else they would divorce me -- I don’t know what you think I’m going to say,” said Brown.
Here is a transcript of the back-and-forth between Action News Jax’s Jenna Bourne and Brown over a potential conflict of interest with one of her top staffers:
Bourne: "Congresswoman, did you know Von Alexander was a subcontractor for JTA [Jacksonville Transportation Authority], and do you think that's a conflict of interest?"
Brown: "Now, I don't know -- where are you from? Channel FOX?"
Bourne: "I'm Action News Jax."
Brown: "Good. Let me try again. My attorneys said don't answer any questions. So unless you have a question about redistricting --"
Bourne: "But these are the things that --"
Brown: "Did I mislead you that I was going to talk about anything other than redistricting?"
Bourne: "The people that you represent have questions about this."
Brown: "No, these are the people I represent."
Bourne: "There are more than just the people in this room you represent."
Brown: "Absolutely. And my phone has been blowing up and they're calling telling me that they're praying for me. And so what I'm saying is I have no comment whatsoever."
Brown was in Tallahassee Friday morning for a federal court hearing.
The judges delayed taking action on Brown's motion to stop enforcement of a Florida Supreme Court-ordered plan to redraw her district's lines.
“Do not disenfranchise the people that I represent,” said Brown.
She brought three busloads of supporters with her.
When asked if she would take this redistricting fight to the U.S. Supreme Court if the federal judges in Tallahassee don’t rule in her favor, she said she is “prepared to do whatever is necessary.”
Action News Jax reporter Jenna Bourne was in Tallahassee and tweeted these updates: