Rep. Corrine Brown hires new attorney for federal indictment case

Florida Rep. Corrine Brown, facing a long list of federal fraud charges, arrived in federal court Wednesday with a new attorney.

James Smith, an attorney from Orlando, took over Brown's defense.

Brown and her chief of staff, Ronnie Simmons, were charged in connection with their alleged roles in a conspiracy and fraud scheme involving a fraudulent education charity, authorities said.

If convicted, Brown faces hundreds of years in prison. Her trial is scheduled to begin Nov. 7, the day before the national election.

Brown, a Congresswoman for 23 years, was defeated in the Aug. 30 closed Florida Primary in her bid for reelection.

Cox Media Group