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Councilwoman refuses to answer questions about campaign finance violations

Updated: To include statement from Council president

City Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown dodged questions from reporters Tuesday morning about a report released by the Ethics Board which detailed a number of violations related to her campaign finances.

Reynolds Brown, who was attending Council's Rules Committee hearing at 10 a.m. continued to refer and repeat excerpts from a statement she released Monday when the Ethics Board's report was released. As part of an agreement reached with the Board Brown has to pay $48,834.

Brown an at-large Councilwoman was selected by her colleagues to serve in leadership as majority whip. Council members say despite the report they still support her being in that leadership post.

"I am glad Councilwoman Reynolds Brown is taking full responsibility for the conduct of her campaign," Council president Darrell Clarke said in a statement. "I have always had great confidence in her as a Council colleague, and I continue to have confidence in her abilities as a legislator and as Majority Whip."

Majority leader Councilman Curtis Jones Jr. said the Board's findings do concern him, but is unrelated to her position in Council leadership.

"I don't see within her leadership, the body of Council as whip which is defined by being able to garner votes, being able to move legislation is impacted by the findings of the board," Jones said.