The former president of the Duval Teachers United, Teresa "Terrie" Brady, has admitted to federal charges of fraud, with accusations of embezzling over $1.2 million from the teachers' union. In a detailed account of the criminal activities, Jacksonville Today specified that Brady, along with ex-Vice President Ruby George, engaged in a scheme lasting nearly a decade, cashing out on leave time that they had not legitimately accrued.
At their court appearance, Brady's legal representative from the Bedell Firm was present as she navigated through a series of inquiries from Magistrate Judge Samuel Horovitz about her plea's ramifications. This stark development follows an earlier change of plea by George, her co-conspirator, in August. In an expression of contrition, Brady stated, "I accept full responsibility for my actions and their consequences. I am truly sorry for my wrongdoing and the harm I caused to Duval Teachers United (DTU) and its members," as per a statement obtained by News4JAX.
The fraudulent activity involved Brady and George selling back 22,678 hours of unearned leave time, starkly contrasted with the 3,360 hours Brady actually earned during that period. They succeeded in siphoning funds by evading the attention of union auditors, signing off on each other's checks, and failing to include such transactions in the yearly financial disclosures to the Florida Public Employee Relations Committee. Collectively, they are accused of stealing more than $2.6 million from the union.
Brady, now 70, has pled guilty to charges including wire fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering. According to a brief by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly Milliron, addressed during the hearing and reported by Jacksonville Today, the circumstances of her crimes were unveiled in significant detail. The legal consequences Brady faces for her actions could span "not more than 70 years of imprisonment" and include a fine potentially as high as $250,000, as indicated by Action News JAX. The sentencing hearing for Brady is anticipated to take place approximately 75 days following her court appearance.
