Charleston, South Carolina — Mike A. Brown, one of three former North Charleston council members charged in a federal corruption investigation earlier this year, amended his plea in court on Monday.
Brown was accused in February along with eight others following a year-long investigation into bribes, kickbacks, extortion, and money laundering activities. He first pled not guilty in March to three counts of conspiracy, bribery, and wire fraud.
However, according to a plea bargain dated October 17, Brown has consented to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bribery in relation to federally funded programs and honest services wire fraud. The charge carries a potential sentence of five years in jail and a fine of up to $250,000.
Prosector Emily Limehouse described the evidence against Brown, which accused him of conniving with former Councilmember Jerome Heyward and accomplice Aaron Hicks to get votes to rezone the Historic Baker Hospital property in North Charleston while taking at least $1000 in bribes. Brown spoke with his attorneys before agreeing to the prosecutor’s summary of evidence.
The other counts in the indictment are expected to be dismissed, and records show Brown may be compelled to pay reparations to any potential victims.
Brown was solemn in court, answering some questions silently, and appeared to become emotional at the end of the hearing when he signed the plea agreement.
The sentencing will take place at a later date.
During Monday’s hearing, it was also revealed that Brown is renouncing some of his rights to appeal his conviction in exchange for the government dismissing the remaining counts in the indictment.
Brown formally resigned from the municipal council on October 17, as required by his plea agreement.
