Ex-Congresswoman Brown Convicted In Charity Scam
May 12, 2017
Former Democratic Congresswoman Corrine Brown was found guilty Thursday on 18 counts in a federal corruption trial, the latest chapter in a stunning fall for a longtime Jacksonville political institution.
Brown, who was defeated for re-election last year after 24 years in the U.S. House, was convicted on all but four counts for her part in a scheme that used a sham education charity to finance personal expenses and events. U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan could hold a sentencing hearing for Brown, 70, within 90 days.
“Former Congresswoman Corrine Brown violated the public trust, the honor of her position, and the integrity of the American system of government when she abused one of the most powerful positions in the nation for her own personal gain,” Acting Assistant Attorney General Kenneth Blanco said in a statement issued after the ruling. “She shamefully deprived needy children of hundreds of thousands of dollars that could have helped with their education and improved their opportunities for advancement, and she lied to the IRS and the American public about secret cash deposits into her personal bank accounts.”
Brown’s attorney, James Smith, told reporters outside the Jacksonville courtroom that Brown would ask for a new trial, though Smith declined to say on what grounds.
“She wants to let her supporters know that she is still strong and resolute,” Smith said. “She still maintains her innocence, and she thanks everyone for their prayers and their support.”
Smith pointed to the case of former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, whose conviction on corruption charges was later set aside by the U.S. Supreme Court because justices disagreed with the government’s interpretation of an “official action.”
“The American legal system has a number of levels, and this is just the first step,” Smith said.
The case against Brown, though, had less to do with what she did as a congresswoman than what she did while she was in office. Brown was found guilty of counts charging her with conspiracy, concealing material facts on required financial disclosure forms, filing false tax returns and related charges.
According to the government, Brown — along with former chief of staff Ronnie Simmons and Carla Wiley, both of whom pleaded guilty — used One Door for Education-Amy Anderson Scholarship Fund at least in part to finance their own expenses while working with other people to solicit more than $800,000 for the charity.
Congressman Al Lawson, who defeated Brown in a Democratic primary last year, was circumspect in a statement issued by his office following the verdict.
“My thoughts and prayers are with Rep. Brown, her family, and all those affected,” he said. “I believe Jacksonville is a better place, because of her three decades of public service.”
Brown left the courtroom quietly, with her head hanging slightly, a contrast to the flamboyant and often bombastic style she used for years in confrontations with political opponents and the media.
She was a verbal pugilist, comparing an attempt to redraw her district to slavery and rhetorically asking reporters who inquired about the criminal charges whether they were pedophiles, as a way to point out that the allegations weren’t yet proven.
But the 12-term, Jacksonville-based congresswoman was also a master of constituent services, using “Corrine Delivers” as a slogan to tout her ability to bring home projects and services to the voters who elected her. That ability helped her cultivate a political base that seemed unassailable.
She was also in many ways a historic figure, one of the first African-Americans elected to Congress from Florida since Reconstruction.
But ahead of the 2016 elections, her district was redrawn under a voter-approved ban on gerrymandering. The courts chose maps that swapped out one of her power bases in Orlando for parts of North Central and Northwest Florida, including a portion of Tallahassee, that barely knew her.
As Brown was fighting that change, the indictments were handed down, providing an even larger opening for Lawson, based in Tallahassee. She lost a three-way primary to Lawson by 8.6 points.
On Thursday, Smith said he was struck that some of the contributors to the charity would testify as part of the government’s case, only to embrace Brown after leaving the stand.
“People cannot and will not forget all the good that she’s done,” Smith said. “Let’s remember, no one’s life is a snapshot. Our lives are films, and you have to look at each and every frame. And Corrine Brown is not going to be defined by what happened here today in this courtroom. She still has plenty of days left on this earth.”
Pictured top: Florida Congressman Corrine Brown spoke in favor of an Amtrak return to the Gulf Coast during an Amtrak inspection train stop in Atmore last year. Pictured inset: Brown shakes the hand of a veteran at the Atmore Amtrak event after walking through a sword arch provided by the Northview High School NJROTC. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Saturday Is ‘Stamp Out Hunger’ Food Drive
May 12, 2017
Escambia and Santa Rosa Letter Carriers will join forces Saturday to help Stamp Out Hunger in our community. In its 25th year, the annual food drive has grown to the largest national single-day effort that benefits millions of Americans who struggle to put food on the table.
“This is the single most important food drive in the two counties and will largely determine how well providers will meet the needs of the hungry in the coming months,” said DeDe Flounlacker, Manna Food Pantries’ Executive Director.
Residents are encouraged to leave a sturdy bag of non-perishable foods, such as canned soup, canned vegetables, pasta, rice or cereal next to their mailbox prior regular mail delivery on Saturday, May 13. Escambia and Santa Rosa letter carriers will collect food donations for local food banks including: Manna Food Pantries, Warrington Emergency Aid Center, Feeding the Gulf Coast in Pace and Milton, ACTS Ministry of Holley Assembly of God in Gulf Breeze, and We Care Ministries of Navarre United Methodist Church. Last year, the organizations received a total of 72,367 pounds of food from the drive.
“We rely on this food drive to keep our shelves fully stocked to help needy families, children, seniors and the homeless in Gulf Breeze and Navarre,” said Pastor Doug Barber, ACTS Ministry of Holley Assembly of God. “Without the help from the NALC and the community during the annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive, ACTS Ministry would almost be non-existent.”
Last year, Manna Food Pantries helped a total of 21,129 individuals through their pantries and programs in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Of those, 37 percent were children and 27 percent were senior citizens. Manna helped a total of 11,254 families and 14 percent of them were active duty, reserve, retired or veteran military.
“I would like to thank everyone in our community who donates food, our volunteers, local businesses,” said Phillip Skipper, President of the National Association of Letter Carriers Northwest Florida Branch 321. “Please give generously this year, so we can help provide food to those who are less fortunate.”
Pictured: Volunteers, including the Gulf Power Transformers, work to sort local Stamp Out Hunger food drive donations last year at the Cantonment Post Office. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Culinary Arts Program Makes School Board Presentation
May 12, 2017
The Northview High School Culinary Arts Academy made a presentation Thursday to the Escambia County School Board. They also delivered oatmeal pecan chocolate chip cookies to board members, staff and other guess. Pictured below (L-R) and Northview High Principal Gayle Weaver, culinary academy members Jordan Parham, Lari McCann, Laura Kinley, and Victoria Amerson, and instructor Vicki Cook. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Beat The Barons
May 12, 2017
Pensacola Blue Wahoos catcher Adrian Nieto continued to come through on offense for his team.
With two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning, he smacked a hard liner to left field to score second baseman Alex Blandino, who had doubled with two outs, to give the Blue Wahoos a, 5-4, victory over the Birmingham Barons Thursday in front of 4,016 at Blue Wahoos Stadium. Pensacola leads the five-game series, 3-1, and clinched its first series after losing two in a row.
Nieto now has four RBIs in six at bats with two outs and runners in scoring position. Plus, the 27-year-old is batting .353 in his last six games with one home run, that he hit Tuesday, and two RBIs.
Nieto agreed with Pensacola manager Pat Kelly that his offense is improving with more regular at bats. Both he and Pensacola catcher Joe Hudson were limited in playing time as Cincinnati Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco did his rehabilitation with the Blue Wahoos for the first 20 games before returning to the big leagues.
Nieto, who played 48 games with the Chicago White Sox in 2014, also has been watching video from his 2013 season when he had his best year at the plate, hitting .285 for the High-A Potomac Nationals.
“It helps to get your at-bats and get into a rhythm,” Nieto said. “I’ve made a few adjustments here and there watching old film from 2013. The Reds told me, ‘Get back to where you were.’ To have that freedom feels great.”
Plus, he smiled and admitted he has some extra incentive at the plate, having played for Birmingham in 2015 and being selected for the All-Star game.
“That was a win that I really wanted,” Nieto said. “Hopefully, we’ll get our fourth one (Friday).”
Blue Wahoos right fielder Aristides Aquino earned his fourth hit in 38 at-bats by sending a high, deep fly ball over the left field wall that also brought in first baseman Eric Jagielo to put Pensacola on top, 4-1. Two of those four hits are homers.
It was Aquino’s first homer in 21 at bats after knocking one out May 1 against Biloxi. His two-run blast came after having struck out five times in a row against Barons pitchers.
The lead held up until the seventh inning when Pensacola reliever Ismael Guillon gave up two runs on three hits to the Barons. DH Nick Basto, who hit a solo shot in the first inning, knocked in second baseman Eddy Alvarez with a single, pulling Birmingham within, 4-3. Barons third baseman Jake Peters scored the tying run, 4-4, when right fielder Mason Robbins lined a single to center.
The two runs scored on Guillon denied starter Keury Mella his first Double-A victory. He remains the only Pensacola starter without a win this season.
“It’s a shame but the win will come (for Mella),” said Kelly.
Mella threw 5.2 innings, allowed two runs on six hits, walked two and struck out four. He is 0-3 with a 4.50 ERA.
Jimmy Herget relieved Guillon in the eighth with the game tied, 4-4, and got the last five outs, including striking out the side in the top of the ninth to pick up the win and even his record at 1-1. Herget has a 2.25 ERA.
Pensacola took the lead, 2-1, in the third inning when third baseman Josh VanMeter hit a two-out single to score DH Leon Landry from second base with the go-ahead run. VanMeter is hitting 8-18 with 10 RBIs in that situation. The first run scored in the inning when catcher Adrian Nieto crossed the plate from third on a sharp ground out to third by left fielder Tyler Goeddel.
Peter smashed a double into the left field corner that scored Alvarez from first to cut the Blue Wahoos lead in the fifth inning to, 4-2.
Pensacola upped its record to 18-16 and are in a tie with the Biloxi Shuckers for first place in the South Division.
Doris Woods
May 12, 2017
Mrs. Doris (Dot) Woods, 84, passed away Monday, May 8, 2017 in Fairhope, Alabama.
Mrs. Woods was a lifelong resident of Atmore, AL. Mrs. Woods was one of six children who had their own special talent working with their hands. Mrs. Woods worked as a seamstress at Vanity Fair for many years before she started sewing for the public. She made everything from children’s clothes to wedding dresses for both of her daughters.
Dot loved her family more than anything. She was a loving wife to her husband until his death. She was also the best “Momma” to her three children and the greatest “Mawmaw” to her six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
She loved her sister, brothers and their families dearly. She also loved her husband’s family as her own. She will be greatly missed by her friends and family until we meet again. She is preceded in death by her husband, Johnnie Woods; parents, Charlie Tyson and Sadie Miller; three brothers, Jack Tyson, Thomas (PeeWee) Tyson, and Joe Miller; and one sister, Louise King.
She is survived by one son, Charles Woods (Carolyn) of Atmore, AL; two daughters, Vicky Kornegay (Darryl) of Eufaula, AL and Lisa Milliken (Larry) of Atmore, AL; one brother, Murray Tyson (Libby) of South Haven, MS; six grandchildren, Sharlie Terry (Ross), Scotty Woods (Tosha), Hunter Milliken (Hannah), Andrew Kornegay (Sarah), Haley Kornegay and Sara Milliken and four great-grandchildren, Ava Woods, Tyson Milliken, Levi Millken and Chase Milliken.
Funeral services were held Thursday, May 11, 2017, at 1 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Burial was at the Semirah Springs Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Andrew Kornegay, Scotty Woods, Hunter Milliken, Darryl Kornegay, Larry Milliken and Ross Terry.
Honorary pallbearers was her Sunday school class at Robinsonville Baptist Church .
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC in charge of all arrangements.
Century Transfers Reserve Funds For Water, Wastewater Repairs
May 11, 2017
In a special called meeting, the Century Town Council voted Wednesday evening to transfer money from a reserve fund to make critical repairs to water and wastewater facilities in the town.
The town will transfer $172,000 from a $229,000 reserve fund.
The transfer from reserves will be used to repair one of two clarifiers at the wastewater plant that has failed. The clarifier repair will cost $40,000 while the electrical repairs will cost $60,000. The money will also be used for installation and materials for the installation of a new meter at the prison, and $7,000 for a booster pump that would supply water to the Century Correctional Institution from the town’s two other wells in the event of an equipment failure at the prison.
Recently increased rates may help the town replenish the reserve funds, according to Mayor Henry Hawkins. In addition, the repairs will allow staff time to focus more on day to day operations, he said.
Earlier this month, the Century Council approved an incremental 55 percent water and wastewater rate increase that will cost the average family just over $200 per year. The rate increase is aimed at stopping ordinary financial losses by the system.
Pictured: Century’s water, wastewater and natural gas franchise also serves the Century Correctional Institution. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Sandy Hollow Road Closed For Bridge Replacement
May 11, 2017
Sandy Hollow Road at Sandy Hollow Creek near Walnut Hill will be closed for a bridge replacement through September.
The new, modern concrete structure will have 10-foot travel lanes, two-foot shoulders and a solid concrete barrier railing. Additionally, bridge approaches will be replaced, drainage upgraded, and guardrail replaced.
Construction is estimated to take six months, weather and schedule permitting.. A four-mile detour will be in place, using Gobbler Road, Highway 97 and Highway 4.
The bridge is being replaced by a contractor for the Florida Department of Transportation and then maintained in the future by Escambia County.
The estimated budget for the project is $740,057. The current bridge was constructed in 1959.
Mostly Sunny Today, Rain By Friday
May 11, 2017
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. Light southwest wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Friday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. North wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 58. North wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 85. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 60. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 87. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 62.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 87.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.
Century Correctional Institution Inmate Assaults Officer
May 11, 2017
Monday, an inmate assaulted a correctional officer at Century Correctional Institution, according to information recently released by the Florida Department of Corrections.
Cesar Figueroa-Donnol assaulted the officer at approximately 12:40 a.m. Figueroa-Donnol head-butted the officer, according to the FDOC. Staff responded appropriately, and the inmate was subdued.
Figueroa-Donnol will receive a disciplinary report for the assault. The FDOC did not release any information about the correctional officer’s condition or need for outside medical care.
Figueroa-Donnol was sentenced in November 2015 to 17 years in prison on Orange County charges that included burglary and drug trafficking.
Putnam Returns To Roots To Start Governor’s Race
May 11, 2017
Standing in front of a huge Florida flag covering the stately pillars of a century-old county courthouse with orange crates on the steps, Republican Adam Putnam on Wednesday used a combination of small-town nostalgia, conservative politics and a deep knowledge of his home state to launch his gubernatorial campaign.
“I can’t imagine a better place to announce I’m running for governor of the state of Florida,” Putnam said, with his former high-school principal and the Bartow High School “Yellow Jacket” band nearby and surrounded by family members and friends who grew up with him in the Polk County town of less than 20,000 people.
“We have to put Florida first so that we are more than a prize for a life well-lived someplace else,” Putnam said. “We can make Florida the launch pad for the American dream.”
Putnam, the state’s agriculture commissioner and a fifth-generation Floridian, enters the 2018 race as the leading candidate to replace Gov. Rick Scott, who will leave office because of term limits and is expected to run for the U.S. Senate.
Putnam, 42, brings a wealth of political experience to the campaign. Beginning as a 22-year-old, he served in the Florida House and then moved to Congress, where he spent a decade and rose to the third-highest Republican leadership post in the U.S. House. He was elected to the state Cabinet in 2010 and will finish his second term as agriculture commissioner next year.
Robert Beattie, a 60-year-old Republican who worked nearly three decades in the phosphate industry as a welder, said he likes Putnam’s experience.
“I appreciate that big time,” said Beattie. “His experience, his breadth and knowledge of what’s going on in Florida.”
In his 16-minute speech, Putnam, dressed casually in a long-sleeved blue-checked shirt and khaki pants, emphasized his small-town roots, growing up in a citrus and cattle business that his family founded. He recalled the freezes of the 1980s that devastated the crops.
“I learned at an early age about riding groves late at night, checking pumps and checking temperatures and assessing the damage the next morning and moving forward,” he said.
He talked about raising his prized horned Hereford bull, named “Georgia Boy,” for a 4-H Club project in a pen that once existed a few blocks from the courthouse.
“Hard work. Responsibility. Perseverance. These are common values,” Putnam said. “But in our society today, they are all too rare.”
How well Putnam’s agrarian roots resonate with Florida’s urban voters remains to be seen. But talking to reporters after his speech, Putnam drew connections between Florida’s diverse regions.
“As you know, Palm Beach is one of our top ag-producing counties in the state, and so is Miami-Dade. It’s not us against them,” Putnam said. “We have an opportunity to diversify our economy and build on our pillars of agriculture, tourism and construction and create new opportunities so that young people who grow up in a town like Bartow don’t have to leave to find good work.”
Sen. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, said Putnam hit the right themes in his announcement speech.
“His message is right in line with where Florida and the nation needs to be,” Stargel said. “We need to get back to the basics of who we are. We are about family, personal responsibility and less government. That’s his message, and it’s the right message.”
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd reinforced Putnam’s conservative credentials, calling him “honest and ethical” and praising him for making it easier to apply for concealed-weapons licenses.
“Because of Adam, today it is easier than ever to protect and defend your family and loved ones,” Judd said.
Putnam said he would “protect” the Second Amendment rights of Floridians. “In Florida, we take those seriously,” he said.
Putnam also said law enforcement officers and military veterans would be “recognized and honored” in his administration. Echoing a Scott policy, Putnam said he would make Florida the nation’s “friendliest” state for military members and veterans.
With $7.7 million on hand in his “Florida Grown” political committee through March 31, Putnam already has a significant financial advantage in the race. But he could still face Republican challengers, including House Speaker Richard Corcoran, a Land O’ Lakes Republican who said he is looking at the governor’s race but will not make a decision until after the 2018 legislative session.
Putnam said he is prepared for a potential challenge.
“I’m a Bartow-raised farmer, and I am a conservative,” Putnam said. “Anyone who wants to run for governor is more than welcome to pack a lunch and come on.”
On Thursday, Putnam will begin a 10-day bus tour that will take him across the state from Miami to Pensacola, ending May 20 in Suwannee County.
by Lloyd Dunkelberger, The News Service of Florida