Andrew Gillum Indicted On 21 Federal Counts, Denies Obtaining Illegal Campaign Funds: Report

BY Erika Marie 3.3K Views
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Andrew Gillum
The Florida politician was previously engaged in a scandal that involved a male escort and illegal drugs.

Former mayor of Tallahassee Andrew Gillum is facing yet another controversy.  The politician previously took over headlines back in 2020 when police reportedly responded to a call and found Gillum unconscious with drugs and a male escort. He later appeared for interviews with his wife by his side before openly admitting that he is bisexual. His sexual preferences aside, Gillum is facing another scandal and this time, he's battling with federal authorities.

According to The Grio, Gillum has been indicted "on 21 counts of alleged wire fraud and making false statements to federal authorities." It is alleged that "Gillum and longtime associate Sharon Lettman-Hicks illegally solicited contributions to his campaign for governor in exchange for political favors like government contracts with the city of Tallahassee."


The lengthy indictment reportedly shows that two undercover FBI agents posed as real estate developers who wanted to buy city contracts. Hicks stands accused of obtaining illegal campaign funds and sending that over to Gillum under "payroll payments."

Gillum has reportedly already reached out to his colleagues, saying, “Every campaign I’ve run has been done with integrity. Make no mistake that this case is not legal, it is political.”

"There’s been a target on my back ever since I was the mayor of Tallahassee. They found nothing then, and I have full confidence that my legal team will prove my innocence now.” He also shared the photo below earlier today.


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About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.