Years of federal scrutiny over Duval Teachers United’s finances concluded Monday in a Jacksonville courtroom, where former president Teresa Terrie Brady and former vice president Ruby George were sentenced for a scheme that allegedly misappropriated about $2.6 million from the union. Brady was sentenced to 27 months in prison, while George received a sentence of one year and one day in prison, followed by six months of home confinement. The case follows an investigation that began with an FBI raid on the union’s San Marco offices and concluded with guilty pleas last year.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, both women pleaded guilty to conspiracy and fraud charges, and Brady additionally pleaded guilty to money laundering. Prosecutors say the pair agreed to forfeit approximately $2.6 million connected to the scheme, which they described as a prolonged effort to conceal unauthorized payouts from auditors and Florida’s public employee oversight authorities.
Prosecutors had recommended a longer sentence for Brady, requesting nearly three years in prison and describing the conduct as a prolonged period of deceit in sentencing memos. News4JAX reported that court records indicate Brady wrote a check after her guilty plea covering more than $1.3 million in alleged misappropriated funds.
Investigators say Brady and George cashed out unearned leave and signed checks to each other to conceal the payments, keeping the funds off internal records and annual filings submitted to state regulators. Jacksonville Today reviewed court documents showing the scheme occurred from approximately 2013 through 2022, resulting in a multimillion-dollar shortfall for the union.
Court weighed service and harm
Chief U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard said she considered the defendants’ records of community service alongside the scope and duration of the theft when determining their sentences. Prosecutors and defense attorneys presented differing perspectives, including letters of support, health concerns, and detailed accounts of the misappropriated funds. The judge imposed sentences below federal guideline recommendations and indicated she would recommend both women be assigned to low-security federal prison camps in the region.
Penalties, forfeiture and reporting date
Under the court’s order, Brady will serve 27 months in prison, and George will serve 12 months plus one day, followed by six months of home confinement. Both are required to forfeit and repay approximately $2.6 million. The judge set a reporting deadline of April 16 for the federal facilities where they will serve their sentences.
Investigation, cooperation and recovery
The criminal case originated from an FBI and IRS investigation, which included a 2023 search of the union’s San Marco office and an indictment unsealed in January 2025, according to court filings and local reports. Ruby George cooperated with investigators, which prosecutors noted during sentencing. Current union leaders say that any recovered funds are unlikely to fully compensate members.
Current Duval Teachers United leadership told the court that they are strengthening internal controls and working to rebuild trust with members following the scandal, which local outlets have covered from the indictment through sentencing. Brady’s guilty plea and the union’s early cooperation with investigators were previously reported.
