Federal prosecutors want to give disgraced former DC Council member Michael A. Brown at least another three months to cooperate with their broader investigation into political corruption in the district, according to papers filed in US District Court today.
Brown, who pleaded guilty in June to federal bribery charges, was scheduled to be sentenced on January 14, but prosecutors are now asking for that hearing to be pushed back to April 28 at the earliest. Brown, who served a singled term on the Council from 2009 to 2012, admitted to taking $55,000 in cash bribes, including $10,000 that was delivered in a Redskins tumbler.
“The requested continuance will further assist the government in meeting with the defendant as part of his cooperation in the ongoing criminal investigation, particularly concerning newly discovered evidence,” prosecutors wrote in their motion to continue. Brown, the son of former Commerce Secretary Ron Brown, has been cooperating since his guilty plea, which came a few months after he dropped out of a special election to get back on to the Council after being defeated in the 2012 general election, and was originally set to be sentenced in October.
Brown’s bribery charge is not directly tied to the ongoing investigation by US Attorney Ron Machen, which is focusing on illicit campaign donations allegedly financed by businessman and former DC Medicaid contractor Jeffrey Thompson. However, Brown’s plea deal included an admission that his 2008 campaign accepted an unreported payment from Thompson. Thompson is suspected of funding a $653,000 “shadow campaign” on behalf of Mayor Vince Gray’s 2010 campaign. Neither Thompson or Gray, who is running for re-election, have been charged with any crime.
Brown’s attorneys agreed with the request for an extension, according to prosecutors’ brief.
Benjamin Freed joined Washingtonian in August 2013 and covers politics, business, and media. He was previously the editor of DCist and has also written for Washington City Paper, the New York Times, the New Republic, Slate, and BuzzFeed. He lives in Adams Morgan.
Prosecutors Want More Time for Disgraced Former DC Council Member to Cooperate
Prosecutors asked a federal judge to delay sentencing for former Council member Michael A. Brown, who pleaded guilty to bribery charges.
Federal prosecutors want to give disgraced former DC Council member Michael A. Brown at least another three months to cooperate with their broader investigation into political corruption in the district, according to papers filed in US District Court today.
Brown, who pleaded guilty in June to federal bribery charges, was scheduled to be sentenced on January 14, but prosecutors are now asking for that hearing to be pushed back to April 28 at the earliest. Brown, who served a singled term on the Council from 2009 to 2012, admitted to taking $55,000 in cash bribes, including $10,000 that was delivered in a Redskins tumbler.
“The requested continuance will further assist the government in meeting with the defendant as part of his cooperation in the ongoing criminal investigation, particularly concerning newly discovered evidence,” prosecutors wrote in their motion to continue. Brown, the son of former Commerce Secretary Ron Brown, has been cooperating since his guilty plea, which came a few months after he dropped out of a special election to get back on to the Council after being defeated in the 2012 general election, and was originally set to be sentenced in October.
Brown’s bribery charge is not directly tied to the ongoing investigation by US Attorney Ron Machen, which is focusing on illicit campaign donations allegedly financed by businessman and former DC Medicaid contractor Jeffrey Thompson. However, Brown’s plea deal included an admission that his 2008 campaign accepted an unreported payment from Thompson. Thompson is suspected of funding a $653,000 “shadow campaign” on behalf of Mayor Vince Gray’s 2010 campaign. Neither Thompson or Gray, who is running for re-election, have been charged with any crime.
Brown’s attorneys agreed with the request for an extension, according to prosecutors’ brief.
Benjamin Freed joined Washingtonian in August 2013 and covers politics, business, and media. He was previously the editor of DCist and has also written for Washington City Paper, the New York Times, the New Republic, Slate, and BuzzFeed. He lives in Adams Morgan.
Most Popular in News & Politics
Yet Another Anti-Trump Statue Has Shown Up on the National Mall
What to Know About the Dupont Circle “Deckover” Project
Every Bus Line in DC Is Changing This Weekend. Here’s What to Know.
8 Takeaways From Usha Vance’s Interview With Meghan McCain
Bans on Underage Vaping, Swastika Graffiti, Synthetic Dyes: New Virginia Laws Go Into Effect in July
Washingtonian Magazine
July Issue: The "Best Of" Issue
View IssueSubscribe
Follow Us on Social
Follow Us on Social
Related
How Would a New DC Stadium Compare to the Last One?
The Culture of Lacrosse Is More Complex Than People Think
“Mean Mugging” at Ward 8 Candidate Forum Leads to Arrest
Did Television Begin in Dupont Circle?
More from News & Politics
How DC’s Attorney General Got So Good at Double Dutch
DC Council Ponders New Way to Expel Trayon White, the GOP’s Budget Bill Advances, and We Found You Some Tacos With Ethiopian Flair
For DNC Chair Ken Martin, the Big Beautiful Bill Is Personal
Every Bus Line in DC Is Changing This Weekend. Here’s What to Know.
We’re Still Litigating “Obliterated,” Apparently; Man Deported After Kicking Dog at Dulles; and “Big Balls” Is Back on the Job
Did Busy Pizza Shops Really Predict US Airstrikes on Iran?
Yet Another Anti-Trump Statue Has Shown Up on the National Mall
8 Takeaways From Usha Vance’s Interview With Meghan McCain