State Rep. Tyrone Brooks Sr. Another Black Man getting rich by stealing from Black Children

State Representative Tyrone Brooks, Sr. Indicted on Fraud and Tax Charges
Defendant Charged with Misappropriating Almost $1 Million in Charitable Donations

U.S. Attorney’s OfficeMay 16, 2013

Northern District of Georgia(404) 581-6000

ATLANTA—A federal grand jury has indicted Tyrone Brooks, Sr. on charges that he misappropriated almost $1 million in charitable funds from Universal Humanities, a charity he founded in 1990, and the Georgia Association of Black Elected Officials (GABEO).

“This is a disappointing day. Representative Brooks has done much good in his life, both as a state legislator and civil rights leader. But the indictment charges that over many years, Representative Brooksmisappropriated nearly $1 million in charitable donations intended to provide literacy training in underserved communities, and from GABEO—the organization for which he has served as president since 1993. Sadly, by diverting these funds to his own use, Representative Brooks deprived those most in need of critical assistance.”

Mark F. Giuliano, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Atlanta Field Office, stated: “While the FBI continues to make public corruption matters its number one priority within its criminal branch, we do so with a clear commitment to the rule of law. Today’s federal grand jury indictment reflects the commitment of the FBI and its law enforcement partners to follow the facts of these investigations wherever they lead us.”

“Mr. Brooks exploited two charitable organizations for his own personal financial gain which came at the expense of the intended beneficiaries of the charitable donations. IRS Criminal Investigation is committed to investigating individuals who use charitable organizations for their personal gain,” stated Veronica Hyman-Pillot, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation. “Mr. Brooks defrauded not only the donors but also the American taxpayer by evading his tax obligations. Tax compliance should and must be equally shared among all Americans.”

Brooks, 67, of Atlanta, Georgia, was charged by a federal grand jury in a 30-count indictment that includes charges of mail, wire, and tax fraud. The indictment charges that, from the mid-1990s through 2012, Brookssolicited contributions from individuals and corporate donors to combat illiteracy and fund other charitable causes, but then used the money to pay personal expenses for himself and his family. The indictment was returned today, and Brooks will appear for arraignment on a date set by the court.