Florida Dem Andrew Gillum Charged With Campaign Fraud; False Statements Restored Rep

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Former Florida Gov. Candidate Andrew Gillum Indicted On Fraud Charges

Former Florida gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum, who narrowly lost to Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2018, was indicted Wednesday on more than 20 fraud charges in connection with his campaign.

https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/...10&s=165&d=165© Provided by ForbesDemocratic Florida gubernatorial nominee Andrew Gillum arrives at a rally held at the Florida Atlantic University's Barry Kaye Performing Arts Auditorium on October 25, 2018 in Boca Raton, Florida. (Photo Credit: MPI04 / MediaPunch /IPX) MPI04 / MediaPunch/MediaPunch/IPx

Key Facts

The Democrat was charged with 21 counts of wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and making false statements to the FBI, according to a Department of Justice press release.

Sharon Lettman-Hicks, one of Gillum’s top advisors, is also facing 19 counts of conspiracy and wire fraud charges.

Gillum and Lettman-Hicks allegedly raised money between 2016 and 2019 while making false promises about the “legitimate purpose” of the funds, and diverted the money to a company owned by Lettman-Hicks, who then disbursed it, “disguised as payroll payments,” to Gillum for his personal use, according to the DOJ.

Gillum said in a statement to NBC News the case was politically motivated, adding “there’s been a target on my back ever since I was the mayor of Tallahassee,” and that he has “full confidence that my legal team will prove my innocence now.”

Marc Elias, an attorney for Gillum, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Forbes.

Gillum and Lettman-Hicks were expected to make their initial court appearance Wednesday afternoon.

Related video: Andrew Gillum indicted for wire fraud, lying to FBI

Former Florida Gov. Candidate Andrew Gillum Indicted On Fraud Charges (msn.com)