May 27, 2023

Former Gubernatorial Candidate Gillum Indicted

Democrat Andrew Gillum, who narrowly lost the 2018 governor’s race to Republican Ron DeSantis, was indicted on charges of wire fraud and making false statements to the FBI, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida announced Wednesday.

Also indicated was Sharon Lettman-Hicks, a Gillum associate who is running this year for a Tallahassee-area state House seat.

A news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office said Gillum and Lettman-Hicks are accused of taking part in a scheme to solicit money “from various entities and individuals through false and fraudulent promises and representations that the funds would be used for a legitimate purpose.”

A company owned by Lettman-Hicks ultimately provided part of the money, disguised as payroll payments, to Gillum for his personal use, the news release said. Gillum, a former Tallahassee mayor, issued a statement disputing the allegations.

"I have spent the last 20 years of my life in public service and continue to fight for the people,” Gillum said. “Every campaign I've run has been done with integrity. Make no mistake that this case is not legal, it is political.”

Gillum was scheduled Wednesday afternoon to make an initial appearance at the federal courthouse in Tallahassee.

Tags: News Service of Florida

Florida Business News

Florida News Releases

Florida Trend Video Pick

Answering the call as a community's workforce
Answering the call as a community's workforce

Tonjua Williams, president of St. Petersburg College, describes SPC's mission and goals, discusses the evolution of the education landscape, and details SPC's adaptation to changing needs in labor force preparation.

Video Picks | Viewpoints@FloridaTrend

Ballot Box

DeSantis or Disney?

  • DeSantis
  • Disney
  • None of the above
  • I'm just in it for the popcorn

See Results

Florida Trend Media Company
490 1st Ave S
St Petersburg, FL 33701
727.821.5800

© Copyright 2023 Trend Magazines Inc. All rights reserved.