Former U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown convicted of federal fraud charges

On Thursday, a federal jury in Jacksonville convicted Corrine Brown, a former 12-term Florida congresswoman on 18 of 22 corruption counts ranging from mail fraud to filing a false federal tax return.

Brown and Ronnie Simmons, her chief of staff who previously pleaded guilty in the case, were named last year in a 24-count federal indictment relating to a scheme led by Brown in which she used her official post as a member of Congress to help solicit $800,000 in contributions for a sham education charity, One Door for Education.

She will be sentenced later this summer.

[SOURCE: POLITICO]

Cory Booker Statement on Comey Firing

U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) issued the following statement in response to the firing of FBI Director James Comey.

“The President of the United States just fired the person who was investigating his campaign, which should set off alarm bells across the country. The last time a presidential firing raised this many questions, America was in the middle of the Watergate crisis.

“For months, I’ve been calling for an independent special counsel to investigate Russian interference in the US election. The need is even more urgent now.

“The Russians undermined our election. How exactly they were able to do that with so much success is a question we need to answer – to prevent a similar attack in the future and hold those responsible accountable. In order to give the American people full confidence in this investigation, it should be handled by an independent counsel who does not answer to President Trump.

“Past nominees to be FBI director have enjoyed broad bipartisan support for their confirmation. The next pick should be no exception.”

Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Statement on Firing of FBI Director James Comey

The Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), Congressman Cedric Richmond (D-LA-02), released the following statement on the Trump Administration’s firing of FBI Director James Comey:

"The out-of-the-blue ouster of FBI Director James Comey is more proof that we need an independent, bipartisan commission to investigate any and all ties between the Trump Administration and Russia.

“When the Attorney General, who supposedly recused himself from the Russia investigation after it was revealed that he lied under oath about conversations with Russians, recommends firing the only person at the Department of Justice leading that investigation, then there is no one at the Department who can be trusted to investigate. As Ranking Member Cummings has said, there is now a 'crisis of confidence' at the Department of Justice. This Administration can’t be trusted to investigate itself.

“The American people deserve to know the truth. I call on Republicans to put patriotism before party and join Democrats in creating an independent, bipartisan commission so we can get to the truth. If they don’t, then they’ll be aiding and abetting collusion and coverup.”

Betsy DeVos booed at Bethune-Cookman University Commencement Ceremony

During her commencement speech at Bethune-Cookman University Education Secretary Betsy DeVos learned that although her money may have bought her a cabinet position in Trump's administration, it can't buy her the respect that she seems to think she deserves. The graduating students let her know how they felt about her being there by both booing and turning their back on her.

NAACP calls for the resignation of top leaders at HBCU Bethune-Cookman University

A leading civil rights group on Monday called for the resignation of top leaders at a historically black university where Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is set to deliver the commencement address.

The NAACP Florida State Conference is urging the university president and board chairman of Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Florida, to step down following the announcement of DeVos' speech last week.

The organization is claiming that faculty members have been threatened with termination and students could have their degrees withheld for speaking out against her appearance.

In addition, protests took place last week and more are expected on campus outside the hall where DeVos is scheduled to address those graduating on Wednesday. The anti-Trump group Indivisible, the NAACP Florida Conference and students plan to demonstrate at the event.

University president Edison Jackson has defended the invitation, however, saying it benefits students to hear from those with controversial ideals and differing beliefs.

"If our students are robbed of the opportunity to experience and interact with views that may be different from their own, then they will be tremendously less equipped for the demands of democratic citizenship," he said in a statement posted online.

The university has not responded to the NAACP Florida Conference's call for the leadership to step down.

An online petition with over 6,000 supporters wants to stop DeVos from delivering the commencement speech, charging the secretary had reduced consumer protections for student loan repayment plans and amnesty programs -- something many of the Bethune-Cookman's students depend upon.

[SOURCE: CNN]