Irvin Mayfield faces fraud and money laundering charges
The Grammy-winning New Orleans trumpeter has been indicted by a federal grand jury
Grammy-winning trumpeter Irvin Mayfield is heading to trial accused of conspiracy, money laundering and fraud in connection with a New Orleans public library.
Mayfield is accused of using his position as head of a charity to funnel money to a jazz orchestra he founded, to a nonprofit bank account that he controlled and to pay for his personal expenses.
According to local media, Mayfield played a gold-and-jewel-encrusted trumpet for presidents and foreign dignitaries, appeared in advertisements for New Orleans and served on many nonprofit boards. The special trumpet was stored under armed guard.
He and another man have been indicted by a federal grand jury on one count of conspiracy, four counts of wire fraud, one count of mail fraud, one count of money laundering conspiracy, 11 counts of money laundering and one count of obstruction of justice.
A federal grand jury decides whether there's enough evidence to believe a suspect may have committed a crime. Mayfield's endictment means the case will now proceed to a trial.
In a statement issued last July, Mayfield said "I do not believe that I have violated any law." The men are due in court on 4 January 2018.