ATLANTA – A former Georgia lawmaker and civil rights activist told a judge Friday he regrets making the mistakes that landed him in federal court on fraud charges and said he takes full responsibility for his actions.
Tyrone Brooks, an Atlanta Democrat, pleaded guilty in April to one count of filing a false tax document and no contest to five counts of mail and wire fraud. U.S. District Judge Amy Totenberg said she wants to think about the case over the weekend and will announce Brooks’ sentence Monday.
“I want to take the time to reach a decision that really does represent my best effort at reaching justice, however flawed that might be,” Totenberg said.
Prosecutors have asked for two years in prison. Brooks’ lawyers are seeking five years’ probation, citing his years of dedicated civil rights work.
“I take full responsibility for all that has occurred. No one is to blame but me,” Brooks said. “I regret the mistakes I’ve made in doing this work.”