Illinois State Rep. Carrol Ammons, who was recently federally indicted on multiple charges of wire fraud, pleaded “not guilty” in her first court appearance Thursday morning.
With the courtroom gallery at its maximum capacity of 49 people, roughly 30 people, consisting of members of the public – along with friends, family and supporters of the representative – were sent to watch the hearing in an overflow room in the Urbana federal court building.
Ammons, charged with 8 counts of wire fraud and one count of witness tampering, entered a not guilty plea beside her two lawyers, Mutaquee Akbar – who is from Florida – and Angela Reany – an attorney from the Carbondale area.
After being processed, the representative, and her husband, Aaron Ammons – who is the Champaign County clerk – addressed reporters outside the federal court building, flanked by their lawyers, family and supporters.
Ammons gave her first in-person statement since being charged.
If found guilty of the charges, Carol Ammons could face up to 15 years in prison, and potential financial penalties, plus payment of restitution for funds she is alleged to have defrauded the state of, according to Judge Long.
There is no minimum to the potential punishment if she is found guilty, according to the judge.
Pending the discovery process, which could mean an extension, the federal trial of the representative and her husband will tentatively begin on Sept. 22.
Story from Illinois Radio Network
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