The Latest: Ex-chief of staff gave lawmaker charity checks

Former U.S. Rep Corrine Brown's ex-chief of staff says he gave her a steady stream of blank checks and cash from the account of a purported scholarship fund for poor kids that federal prosecutors say she used to fund a lavish lifestyle, including parties in her own honor and shopping trips.

Simmons testified that they used One Door for fundraising because, as a registered 501(c)3 organization, there were no limits on the amount it could raise, unlike political action committees or campaign fundraising accounts.

Former U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown's ex-chief of staff is scheduled to testify at her fraud trial about what federal prosecutors say was a wide-ranging scheme to use hundreds of thousands in donations to a purported charity for lavish parties, trips and other personal uses.