Former DeSantis Opponent Andrew Gillum Charged with 21 Felonies Related to the Campaign

Democrat Andrew Gillum, who ran against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in 2018, has been charged with 21 felonies related to his 2018 campaign for the Governor’s office.

The indictment was issued by the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida under the Biden-run Department of Justice.

The indictment stated that “A federal grand jury has returned a twenty-one-count indictment against Andrew Demetric Gillum, 42, and Sharon Janet Lettman-Hicks, 53, both of Tallahassee, Florida.”

The indictment detailed the charges for Gillum: “Both defendants are charged with 19 counts of wire fraud, … Gillum is also charged with making false statements to agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.”

The statement says that “The Indictment alleges that between 2016 and 2019, defendants Gillum and Lettman-Hicks conspired to commit wire fraud, by unlawfully soliciting and obtaining funds from various entities and individuals through false and fraudulent promises and representations that the funds would be used for a legitimate purpose.”

“The indictment further alleges the defendants used third parties to divert a portion of those funds to a company owned by Lettman-Hicks, who then fraudulently provided the funds, disguised as payroll payments, to Gillum for his personal use.”

The FBI first came to know of Gillum’s crimes when they launched a corruption investigation in Tallahassee, Florida, in which Gillum served as mayor of the city from 2014 to 2018.

The FBI utilized an undercover agent to investigate Gillum which led to the uncovering of multiple payments for lodging, food, boat rides, and even a show ticket to “Hamilton” in which Gillum received gifts that he is obliged by Florida law to disclose.

Gillum potentially faces decades of prison time as five years of prison can be given out for making false statements, 20 years in prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and 20 years in prison per charge for wire fraud.

Gillum surrendered to authorities on Wednesday morning and Gillum denied any wrongdoing and claimed that the charges were political.

This indictment follows a host of scandals surrounding the former Democrat candidate, who is married and has children. He was also found in 2020 in a hotel room with a male escort and suspected bags of crystal meth.

With the former Democrat candidate for Governor of Florida being indicted and the successfulness of Governor DeSantis, the Florida Democrat Party appears to be on the back foot.