Former State Rep. Tyrone Brooks, Sr., pleads guilty

Former State Representative Tyrone Brooks, Sr., plead guilty to a tax charge on Thursday just hours after he resigned the position he held at the state capitol for 35 years.

Brooks also admitted that a jury would likely find him guilty of five other fraud charges.

According to the charges, Brooks, Sr., misappropriated almost $1M in charitable funds from Universal Humanities. Brooks' attorneys say that amount is inflated and they deny he did it intentionally. 

From the mid-1990s through 2012, Brooks solicited 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.

According to Acting U.S. Attorney John Horn, donors included the Coca-Cola Company, Georgia Pacific Company, and Northside Hospital.

The FBI launched their investigation based on information and facts that indicated that a State elected official was using undue influence for personal gain.  

A judge will sentence Brooks later this year.