Rep. Corrine Brown, chief of staff hire new attorneys in federal case

The federal trial for U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown and her chief of staff Ronnie Simmons could be delayed because they are both hiring new attorneys.

During a status hearing in federal court Tuesday afternoon, their current lawyers announced Brown and Simmons both intend to switch attorneys by the end of the week.

Brown and Simmons are scheduled to go on trial in October.

The trial has already been pushed back once and Judge James Klindt said in court it looks likely the attorney switch-up will cause more delays.

The usually outspoken Democratic Florida congresswoman did not answer any question as she left court with her new attorney, Greg Kehoe, a Tampa lawyer, at her side.

That means attorneys William Sheppard and Elizabeth White, who represented Brown in her redistricting fight, are out.

Simmons has not named who his new attorney will be.

Brown and Simmons face a 24-count federal indictment for mail and wire fraud, conspiracy obstruction and filing false tax returns.

They’re accused of using phony charity One Door for Education as a personal slush fund.

Brown and Simmons would not answer why they’re changing attorneys.

“Well, it’s his prerogative,” said Simmons’ current attorney, Daniel Smith.

Smith said he doesn’t think new attorneys could be ready for trial until as late as spring.

“The discovery disclosure was 80,000 pages of documents. I mean, that’s a little more than bathroom reading material,” said Smith.

On July 6, a federal grand jury returned a 24-count indictment, naming Brown in 22 counts and Simmons in 19 counts.

On July 8, that indictment was unsealed and Brown and Simmons were arraigned in federal court.

Brown and Simmons pleaded not guilty to all 24 counts.

The president of One Door for Education, Carla Wiley, pleaded guilty to wire fraud months ago.

The federal indictment said One Door for Education collected more than $800,000 in donations, but only gave out $1,200 in scholarships.

Brown and Simmons are accused of using donations to One Door for Education to host extravagant events and take lavish vacations.

Late last month, the government provided discovery to Brown and Simmons, which included about 80,000 pages of documents, FBI reports of witness interviews and more.

If convicted of all counts, Brown will face a maximum of 357 years in prison and nearly $5 million in fines.

Simmons faces a maximum of 355 years in prison and nearly $5 million in fines if he’s convicted of all counts.

Brown is fighting for election to her newly redrawn district's seat in this month’s primary.

Cox Media Group