Friday’s sentence included a year of probation without any prison time.
After Katrina Robinson was convicted in September of two charges of wire fraud in Memphis federal Court, she faced a four- to ten month sentence. U.S. District Judge Sheryl Lipman, however, rescinded from the sentencing guidelines, stating that Robinson had already suffered and that the Memphis community would not benefit from her time in prison. Sheryl H. Lipman also stated that Robinson was a community leader, nursing school administrator and mother of two.
Robinson, a Democrat was elected in 2018 to represent a Memphis District in the state Senate. In a vote by party lines, she was resigned from office last month.
Robinson was charged in a criminal case for using federal grant money to fund a school for nurses she had started before she was elected to public office.
Robinson was accused by prosecutors of spending personal funds from federal grant money totaling more than $600,000. The Healthcare Institute is a nursing training institute that focuses on supporting low-income minority students. Robinson was eventually convicted of two of the 20 counts. These were related to $3,400 in wedding expenses in 2016.
Robinson, a Black senator, claimed that she was unfairly treated by the white-majority body. Robinson called it “procedural execution,” prompting cheers and support from the Republican speaker. Some of her supporters were in tears while others stood by in solidarity.
This was the first time that the chamber had removed a senator from the chamber since the Civil War.
Christopher Cotten, the prosecutor, asked Robinson to be sentenced to 10 months imprisonment on Friday. He said Robinson had shown “abject defiance” of taking responsibility and that she was unfairly being blamed for racism.
Robinson stated to the judge during the sentencing hearing that she understood the significance of her case, but admitted that she didn’t keep an “eye on everything”.
Lipman, the judge said that she had received 57 letters of support from Robinson. Current and former students described her as a nurturing teacher, a dedicated nurse, and a mother. Robinson traveled to Tennessee in the early stages of coronavirus pandemic, helping sick patients in hospitals.
Lipman also criticised Robinson for basing the charges on “hot buttons issues” like race. However, the judge did acknowledge previous cases of racial injustices in the court system. Lipman criticised Robinson’s inept record keeping, and said that Robinson did not pay attention to the federal grant that was paid for by taxpayers.
Robinson was given some guidance by the judge.
Lipman stated, “Someone who attempts to do everything must edit, and need to edit desperately.”
Lipman also ruled Friday Robinson had perjury committed during her trial. Robinson defended an email in which she claimed that money she spent on her wedding was to fund a community patient education program and that grant money should cover it.
Robinson stated that she believed probation was appropriate. She also said she will continue to work in the community.
Robinson stated that most of the material that Robinson discussed in relation to race had to do with my Senate expulsion and the overall pattern of Black elected officials being able to serve since the beginning of time when they were able to serve. This is not to say that I don’t accept responsibility for the case.
Robinson is able to avoid prison but has already paid a heavy price for her reputation and finances, according to Lawrence Laurenzi, her lawyer. Robinson failed to secure a checking account. Her retirement account was seized by federal authorities and she may lose her nursing license.
Laurenzi stated that he intends to appeal the conviction.
The Shelby County Commission elected London Lamar, a Democratic state representative from Black, to replace Robinson. The state House replacement for Lamar will be chosen by the commissioners.
