By Jerry Jordan, Editor
Jurors in the Patricia Driscoll federal criminal trial in Washington D.C. have come back with a verdict on three of the five felony counts she is facing but are deadlocked on two, according to a note filed with the court.
Driscoll is facing a five-count federal indictment alleging two counts of tax evasion, two counts of wire fraud and one count of first-degree fraud. She is accused of using funds that were supposed to be used to help military members and their families but instead she used, at least, $500,000 for her personal gain, according to federal prosecutors. Originally, Driscoll faced an eight-count indictment but the first count of interfering with the administration of IRS laws was dismissed and two more counts – mail fraud – were dismissed by U.S. Judge Richard Leon.
According to court records, jurors told Judge Leon they are “deadlocked on 2 counts” but stopped short of saying which two counts they referred to. They confirmed they had reached a unanimous decision on three counts.
Federal prosecutors stated at the beginning of the trial that Driscoll was a manipulative bully who lied to donors, the IRS and the charity’s board of directors, using more than $500,000 to pay her personal expenses, buy jewelry, alcohol, personal items and business expenses.
Since beginning deliberations, jurors have sent out nine notes. One of those notes essentially asked if posting information on a Web site would be considered as using wires. They also have filed two complaints about a male juror who has refused – in their words – to follow the rules set forth by Judge Leon and asked for an alternate juror.
CLICK for first Driscoll Jury Notes
CLICK for second Driscoll Jury Notes
Click for third Driscoll Jury Notes
After receiving the note Wednesday, Judge Leon sent the jurors back to deliberations for another day and will likely hear their verdict Thursday. A source in the courtroom said prosecutors wanted the judge to make the jury’s verdict public today and rule on a mistrial for the other two counts but he decided to wait.
Driscoll is the former girlfriend of NASCAR Champion Kurt Busch and used his status and connections to NASCAR to solicit money and other donations for the AFF. She falsely accused Busch of domestic violence after unlawfully entering his motor coach in Dover, Del. following their break-up in 2014. She used an access code to his motor coach she secured during their relationship and brought her son with her from Baltimore in the middle of the night. No criminal case was ever brought against Busch because prosecutors said there was no evidence to support her claim.