Grammy-winning New Orleans jazz trumpeter Irvin Mayfield pleaded guilty this morning in federal court to conspiracy to commit fraud. His business partner, Ronald Markham, also pleaded guilty.
Mayfield and Markham are accused of using donations to the New Orleans Public Library Foundation to fund lavish trips, hotel stays, and even pay themselves for a Carnegie Hall concert in New York City.
Prosecutors said Mayfield diverted nearly $1.4 million meant to fund library programs.
The pair initially faced 19 charges in a 2017 indictments, then more charges were added in 2018 to bring the total to 24 counts.
The pair face up to five years in prison.
