TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Andrew Gillum, the 2018 Democratic candidate for governor of Florida, faces 21 federal charges related to a scheme to seek donations and return some of them to him through third parties , the US Attorney’s Office announced on Wednesday. .
Gillum, 42, and co-defendant Janet Lettman-Hicks, 53, face 19 counts of wire fraud. Gillum is also charged with making false statements to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The U.S. attorney’s office said the couple “conspired to commit wire fraud, illegally soliciting and obtaining funds from various entities and individuals through false and fraudulent promises and representations that the funds would be used.” for legitimate purposes”.
Lettman-Hicks then used his company to fraudulently give money to Gillum disguised as payroll payments, the bureau said in a press release.
That’s the latest issue for Gillum, who narrowly lost to Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis in a race that required a recount.
Gillum served as mayor of Tallahassee before running for governor.
In March 2020, Gillum was found intoxicated and unconscious in a hotel room with two men, one of whom works as a male escort. Two days later, he checked into a rehab facility, then did a TV interview and said he was bisexual.