Mayfield, Markham plead guilty in fraud case

FILE – In this May 4, 2017 file photo, Irvin Mayfield performs at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans. Mayfield and his musical partner, pianist Ronald Markham, each pleaded guilty Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020, to a conspiracy to commit fraud charge. The federal charge stemmed from the time the two spent as board members of the charitable New Orleans Public Library Foundation. Prosecutors alleged that they steered more than $1.3 million raised for public libraries to themselves by funneling it through the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, which Mayfield founded. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP, File)

by: Associated Press

Posted: Nov 10, 2020 / 01:57 PM EST

Updated: Nov 10, 2020 / 02:04 PM EST

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NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Grammy Award-winning trumpet player Irvin Mayfield and his musical partner have each pleaded guilty to a conspiracy to commit fraud charge.

The federal charge stemmed from the time Mayfield and pianist Ronald Markham spent as board members of the charitable New Orleans Public Library Foundation.

Prosecutors alleged that they steered more than $1 million raised for public libraries to themselves, largely by funneling it through the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra. Mayfield and the orchestra won a Grammy in 2010.

He was among musicians who took a high-profile role in promoting New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.