Top aide says he gave Brown blank charity checks, money

JACKSONVILLE — Former U.S. Rep Corrine Brown’s ex-chief of staff testified Wednesday that he gave Brown a steady stream of blank checks and cash from the account of a purported scholarship fund for poor children.

Federal prosecutors say she used the money to pay for a lavish lifestyle, including parties in her own honor and shopping trips.

Elias “Ronnie” Simmons testified in Brown’s federal fraud trial, saying the congresswoman ordered him to transfer thousands of dollars raised for the One Door for Education Foundation to her personal bank accounts.

In a plea deal, Simmons pleaded guilty to two related counts and agreed to testify.

Simmons said One Door started off as a way to raise money to fund a reception held during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation meetings in Washington, D.C. At the time, he was dating the charity’s president, Carla Wiley, who had closed it after it failed to raise enough money.

Soon, however, federal prosecutors say its bank account was reopened, and it became a personal slush fund for the congresswoman, Simmons and Wiley, who has also pleaded guilty.

Simmons testified they used One Door for fundraising because, as a registered 501(c)(3) organization, there were no limits on the amount it could raise.

From 2012 to 2016, federal prosecutors say, Brown and Simmons raised over $800,000 for One Door from donors who thought they were helping children. But purchases included a trip on a private jet to Washington — where Brown and donors used a luxury box to watch an NFL game — a Beyonce concert and other trips, they allege. Only $1,200 was given out for scholarships.

Brown’s attorney James Smith has said Simmons was the mastermind behind the scheme and he took advantage of an aging lawmaker who trusted him with her personal and professional affairs.

Simmons said all of the cash deposits made from One Door into Brown’s personal accounts were done so at her direction.