By Ashley Harding, Reporter & Joe McLean, Reporter – Katrina Brown sentenced to 33 months, Reggie brown gets 18 months in prison.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The long-delayed sentencing hearing for ex-Jacksonville City Council members Katrina Brown and Reggie Brown reached a conclusion Thursday afternoon, with both receiving prison sentences.
A judge handed Katrina Brown a sentence of 33 months followed by five years of supervised release. She was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of more than $425,000.
Reggie Brown was given a sentence of 18 months, followed by three years of supervised release. He was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of more than $411,000.
The two, who are not related, were convicted last year in a case stemming from a federally-backed loan and a city grant obtained for a barbecue sauce business owned by Katrina Brown’s family.
Katrina Brown was convicted on 37 different felonies, including money laundering, fraud and conspiracy. Reggie Brown was convicted of 33 felonies.
Federal prosecutors said this was a long-running, well-thought-out and intentional fraud.
For Katrina Brown, the federal government wanted 4½ years in prison, three years of supervised release and $535,335 forfeited over. For Reggie Brown, prosecutors wanted four years in prison, three years of supervised release and $411,752 forfeited over.
The defense for both parties was asking for probation with no prison time, citing health problems, financial hardship and a lack of prior criminal records.
Final statements saw the pair’s attorneys call a few more witnesses to testify about their character — Katrina Brown’s uncle and pastor and Reggie Brown’s ex-wife appeared. Also, former Jacksonville Sheriff Nat Glover spoke on their behalf.
Sentencing was originally set for Jan. 27, but the hearing was postponed after Katrina Brown got a new attorney. The hearing was then moved to March, but it was delayed once more in May in response to defense motions. This current sentencing date was challenged earlier this month, citing the coronavirus pandemic, but the judge denied the request.
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