JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Federal prosecutors are asking a judge to deny motions for acquittal filed by two former Jacksonville City Councilmembers and to reject their requests for a new trial.
Earlier this month, a jury found former Councilmember Katrina Brown guilty on all 37 counts against her and found Reggie Brown guilty on 33 out of the 34 counts against him.
The Browns, no relation, were charged with conspiracy, fraud and money laundering in a scheme related to Katrina Brown's family barbecue sauce business.
Jerome Brown Barbecue received more than $3 million in government grants and loans to bolster and expand a sauce making enterprise on the city's Northwest side. The business failed and none of the promised 56 jobs was ever created.
After the guilty verdict, both Browns filed separate motions seeking a new trial. Prosecutors pushed back on those requests, saying the evidence of fraud and the weight of the evidence was significant against both defendants in this case.
Prosecutors also say neither defendant has a credible argument that the record merits a new trial.
The pair are scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 27 at 9:30 a.m.
