ATLANTA – Former State Representative Tyrone Brooks, Sr., has pleaded guilty to charges that he misappropriated almost $1 million in charitable funds from Universal Humanities, a charity he founded in 1990, and the Georgia Association of Black Elected Officials (GABEO).
Brooks solicited contributions from individuals and corporate donors to combat illiteracy and fund other charitable causes, but then used the money to pay personal expenses for himself and his family. According to Acting U.S. Attorney John Horn, Brooks deceived donors by making false representations in his written solicitations about the work that Universal Humanities was doing to combat illiteracy.
Horn stated, "Through two charitable organizations he led, Representative Brooks raised over one million dollars for the causes of illiteracy, crime and voter disenfranchisement that plague our disadvantaged communities, especially ones in poor and rural areas." He added, "Sadly, Representative Brooks misappropriated nearly all of the money to pay personal expenses for himself and his family. By diverting these funds, he deprived those communities from receiving the literacy training and other assistance that they so desperately needed."
J. Britt Johnson, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Atlanta Field Office, stated, "People have a right to expect honesty and integrity from their elected officials. The FBI’s Public Corruption program plays a vital role in ensuring that any such departures from the expected honesty and integrity of public officials that result in violations of the law will be investigated."
Special Agent in Charge, Veronica F. Hyman-Pillot, IRS Criminal Investigation, stated, "Mr. Brooks exploited his position as representative and director of Universal Humanities and GABEO for his own personal financial gain, which came at the expense of the organizations and people he was trusted to serve."
According to Acting U.S. Attorney Horn, the charges and other information presented in court, Brooks used the solicited donations to pay personal expenses for himself and members of his family, including home repairs, furniture, lawn service, life insurance, entertainment, personal credit card expenses, utility bills, food and clothing, dry cleaning, electronic equipment, jewelry, and payments on personal loans, among other personal expenses.
The government presented evidence at the plea hearing that from at least 1995 through 2012, Brooks solicited contributions for Universal Humanities from corporate and individual donors, eventually raising more than $800,000. Donors included the Coca-Cola Company, Georgia Pacific Company, Northside Hospital, and others who gave smaller amounts.
Tyrone Brooks, Sr., faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 at sentencing, which is scheduled for April 2024.
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Key Facts
- State: Georgia
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
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