Suspended Jacksonville City Councilwoman Katrina Brown said she’s “happy” her attorney will no longer represent her.
A federal judge granted her court-appointed attorney’s motion to withdraw on Thursday.
Brown faces dozens of charges related to allegations of money laundering involving tax dollars.
The 38-count federal indictment against her and co-defendant Reggie Brown, also a suspended council member, was unsealed in May.
Attorney Darcy Galnor and Katrina Brown spent two-and-a-half hours with the judge behind closed doors on Thursday while they discussed what Galnor called “irreconcilable differences.”
The judge made that part of the hearing private because it delves into communication protected by attorney-client privilege.
After the hearing, Action News Jax asked Galnor about the problems between her and Katrina Brown.
“It would be inappropriate for me to comment,” said Galnor.
Judge James Klindt will appoint a new attorney for Katrina Brown, who will represent her during a Jan. 17 hearing.
The trial is scheduled to begin in early February.
Both Katrina Brown and Reggie Brown asked the judge to grant them separate trials months ago.
The judge has not yet announced a decision on that.
Katrina Brown would not rule out whether she planned to run for reelection to her council seat.
Inside the courthouse, the suspended councilwoman was asked during a break whether she plans to file.
“You’ll know next week,” said Katrina Brown.
The filing deadline is Jan. 11.
Katrina Brown and Reggie Brown are accused of fraud and money laundering involving tax-funded financial incentives for the suspended councilwoman’s family barbecue sauce business.
The indictment includes allegations that they used shell companies to transfer money back and forth, using bogus invoices.
Both are charged with one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, twenty-six counts of aiding and abetting mail and wire fraud, and six counts of aiding and abetting money laundering.
The indictment also charges Katrina Brown with two counts of attempted bank fraud and two counts of making false statements to a federally insured financial institution.
Reggie Brown is also accused of failing to file a tax return.
Katrina Brown and Reggie Brown face hundreds of years in prison.
If they are found guilty on all charges and receive the maximum sentences, Katrina Brown would be ordered to serve 720 years in federal prison and Reggie Brown would serve 601 years.
They also face millions of dollars in fines.