The two former Duval County teachers\u2019 union officers who together embezzled more than $2.5 million were sentenced Monday to prison.<\/p>\n
Teresa \u201cTerrie\u201d Brady, once the president of Duval Teachers United, was sentenced to 27 months. Former Vice President Ruby George was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison and six months of house arrest. Both terms are about 25% shorter than the minimum recommended under sentencing guidelines for the crime they committed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The judge also ordered them to pay a total $2.6 million, though there is no guarantee it will be returned to the union.<\/p>\n
Judge Marcia Morales Howard said the \u201cdownward variance\u201d for both sentences was \u201clargely based on their good works.\u201d George, 82, also has significant health issues that Howard said factored into her decision.<\/p>\n
The FBI raided the DTU headquarters in September 2023. Federal prosecutors say Brady and George stole more than $2.5 million from the union through a scheme that involved cashing in unearned leave time. George, who pleaded guilty last August, cooperated with the FBI\u2019s investigation. Brady pleaded guilty in October.<\/p>\n
\u201cMrs. George cooperated, pure and simple,\u201d Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Coolican said Monday during their sentencing hearing at the federal courthouse in Jacksonville. \u201cShe did so against a longtime colleague. That\u2019s not a small thing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Brady and George both gave emotional statements of remorse and asked Howard for leniency.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSo what can I do?\u201d Brady, 70, said through tears. \u201cI don\u2019t know. I brought this on myself. And there are so many points at which I wish I had acted differently. I can\u2019t change any of them. I feel like at the end of my life, I have thrown everything away. I promise that I will do everything possible to make up for this, but all I can do today is just ask for mercy.\u201d<\/p>\n
George sat in a wheelchair throughout the hearing.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know how I got so far off track. I don\u2019t know. It boggles my mind\u2026How did I get here? I don\u2019t know how I gave up the right for the wrong. I\u2019m in no way trying to justify my actions. I\u2019m just trying to explain,\u201d George said. \u201cIt just became easier to go along to get along. I know I must atone for all I\u2019ve done, but I ask the court for mercy and compassion.\u201d<\/p>\n
Current DTU President Tammie Brooks-Evans and Vice President Jessica Reyst both spoke about the impact the crimes had on the union\u2019s operations and reputation. Reyst said the organization\u2019s San Marco headquarters was in a state of disrepair \u2014 with a rat problem, mold, and in need of a new roof \u2014 while Brady and George were overpaying themselves.<\/p>\n
\u2018Nothing simple about this case\u2019<\/p>\n
While waiting for the hearing to start, Brady mingled with dozens of supporters who filled the hallways of the 10th floor of the Bryan Simpson U.S. Courthouse in Jacksonville. <\/p>\n
A few minutes before 1:30, attendees streamed into the courtroom that quickly filled to overflowing. Eventually, the hearing had to be moved to a larger courtroom usually saved for naturalization ceremonies. Judge Howard listened to almost two hours of testimony before the court took a recess.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll ask you to be patient. One of the things about sentencing in federal court is that once I say the sentence out loud, there\u2019s no taking it back,\u201d Howard said before the recess. \u201cI need to be certain, and I want to thoughtfully consider all of the matters that have been presented. \u2029There\u2019s nothing simple about this case.\u201d<\/p>\n