On June 7, 2013, federal prosecutors charged Brown with bribery. Between July 2012 and February 2013, then-Councilmember Brown allegedly sought and accepted $55,000 in cash from representatives of a business to help the business receive contracts and preferential government certification. The representatives were actually undercover employees of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Brown described it as a "loan arrangement", not a bribe. The charge was issued with a document that usually indicates that there has been a plea deal. Federal prosecutors sought a $35,000 judgement against Brown.