Former D.C. Council Chairman Kwame Brown spoke to reporters outside the District’s federal courthouse minutes after he pleaded guilty to a bank fraud charge. The following is a transcript of Brown’s remarks.
I have served this city for over seven years. I love this city. Working for the residents has been an honor. I have worked every day on behalf of the people and done it full heartedly.
Six years ago, I made some very serious mistakes in judgment, and I have taken full and sole responsibility for those mistakes. Those decisions and actions should not have occurred.
One of the consequences of those decisions is my resignation as chairman of the Council of the District of Columbia.
The almost two-year investigation that led to these guilty pleas began after allegations were made that I either misspent, stole or improperly used 2008 campaign funds. The charges with which I have entered the guilty plea are not related to any of those allegations.
The facts are the government has not charged me with misspending, stealing or improperly using campaign funds. I have not stolen or improperly used any campaign funds from either my 2004, 2008 or 2010 campaigns.
I have not stolen or improperly used any public money.
I am not guilty of knowingly setting up a get-out-the-vote side campaign.
I am guilty of knowing that poll workers and others received more than $50 in cash payments for doing campaign work, which is and has been done in this city for years.
I believe I am the only candidate who has ever been charged with a misdemeanor.
Nor have I used my public office or position to improperly benefit or enrich myself.
I want to apologize from the bottom of my heart to all those that I have let down.
To the people of this great city, my neighbors and friends, the mayor, my council colleagues, government officials and employees of the government who work so hard to serve our city, to my wife of 18 years, to my daughter, my son, my dad, my mom and my family: I sincerely regret the pain that this has caused each of you.
My mother and father raised me to never be in a situation like this. I want to thank you for your unconditional love and support, which is valuable to me.
It has been a long and difficult journey. Today, I am taking the first steps in regaining the trust and respect of the people I serve and love.
Today, I hold my head high, not because of any pride that I may have in my heart, but it’s because I am in God’s hands, and God is able.
Thank you. I will be taking no questions.
