Provided below is a statement by former Tallahassee mayor Andrew Gillum – posted on various social media platforms – ahead of the start of his federal trial on public corruption charges.
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I know it’s been awhile since I’ve posted, and I wish I was reaching out under better circumstances. For the past three years, I have been focused on my personal, mental and physical health, spending time with my family, and continuing to work on the issues that have always been important to me – albeit behind the scenes and out of the public eye.
I am facing one of my greatest challenges yet in a court case that begins tomorrow in Tallahassee. First, let me state unequivocally, that I am innocent of the gross allegations being made against me. I have never taken advantage of my office or position to cheat, con, or deceive anyone. To the contrary, I have always fought on behalf of those who sit on the margins of our society, no matter what the cost. While this case has targeted my character, service, and actions, I want you to remember that I am the same Andrew that you’ve known all along—a man of character and integrity with a heart for service.
No matter when you met me, I hope that you realized my passion for public service is born out of an inherent desire to make my community and the lives of others better. I have been dedicated to public service since middle school student government, and that dedication continued throughout my time as a student leader at FAMU. I was elected to a citywide local office when I was just 23 years old, I served as mayor of Tallahassee and became the first Black person elected the Democratic nominee for Governor of Florida – coming closer than any Democrat for that office in over twenty years. My motivation to serve has always been rooted in my experience growing up poor, and I am driven to fight against all odds to make the future one of limitless possibilities for everyone.
Justice frequently alludes people who look like me. But I know that a fair trial with a representative jury who is able to hear the full truth and facts will have no choice but to render me innocent against these allegations.
As I prepare for what is to come over the next few weeks, I am reminded of the words of former heavyweight champion James J. Corbett:
“When your feet are so tired that you have to shuffle back to the center of the ring, fight one more round. When your arms are so tired that you can hardly lift your hands to come on guard, fight one more round. When your nose is bleeding and your eyes are black and you are so tired that you wish that your opponent would crack you one on the jaw and put you to sleep, fight one more round – remembering that the man who always fights one more round is never whipped.”
Please know that I am always ready to fight one more round. But I can’t win this fight alone. Thank you for the prayers and words of support that you extend to me and my family. Please keep them coming. They sustain us more than you know. And for those who are able, please consider making a donation to my legal defense fund. I am so grateful to Civil Rights Attorney Ben Crump, Angela Rye, Bakari Sellers, and a host of other friends who helped to establish the Bring Justice Home Legal Defense Fund. My family and I have made considerable financial sacrifices to defend my innocence, and your contributions will go toward the $1 million in additional funds needed to cover the trial and my legal representation. I’m deeply grateful for your willingness to stand with me during this challenging time.
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Ahead of Trial, Gillum Seeks Contributions for Legal Bills added by Staff on
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And here comes Gillum up the center of the ice and he slides and BAMMMMMMM ITS A HAT TRICK WITH THE RACE CARD. Funny how this news paper only prints certain comments for the public to read. Guess all news reporters are big censors when they read something they don’t like.
“Justice frequently alludes people who look like me.”
… aaaannnnnnd there it is… the ever so popular race card. Why not toss the GP (Gender Pretender) card in as well.
When they had said earlier that the Trial was to start Monday (the 17th) I thought it was the actual Trial. Last night on the News they said it was Jury Selection. Why didn’t they do Jury Selection last week?
A more shameless plea from the most shameless consort of creeps has never been made.
Throw the book at him.
Comments for this Gillum trial, but not for the neighbor that might run for president? Tsk tsk.
Well, I’m far less concerned about Gillum than the neighbor (who’s a midwesterner at heart, not a Floridian) who has already been campaigning for president on our dime while not declaring his campaign. It bears repeating: the frequently absent “neighbor” conducting an undeclared presidential campaign while Florida burns in so many ways should be far more concerning to everyone. But no, let’s not open the comments on that editorial.
Three things:
1. Most of your neighbors in Leon/Tallahassee would vote for Gillum again should he run for Mayor or Govorner.
2. Most of your same neighbors from above wont get off the coin and support Gillum’s donation request. I know that sounds odd but that how Tallahassee/Leon Democrats are…a special North Florida breed they are.
3. This trial will have frustrating elements and outcomes for the minority conservative leaning Tallahassee/Leon population. Dont expect much from a leftist FBI/Federal govornment action against one of “their own”.
I researched Gillum in 2004 when he first ran for city commission and have continued to research him ever since. His legal team would not want me as a juror.
Comments are golden. I have nothing to add!!
Remember, folks:
Virtually everyone in Andrew Guilty’s childhood family has been involved with the law.
https://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2018/10/08/how-andrew-gillums-miami-childhood-shaped-the-views-of-floridas-would-be-governor/?outputType=amp
“Friction also became more frequent and more consequential. Charles Gillum, who struggled with alcoholism, lost a City of Miami sanitation job and had a few run-ins with police. He’d move in and out amid disagreements with his wife.
Meanwhile, Patrick, who’d dropped out of school, was accused of burglary and assault in 1991 and eventually sentenced to nearly a year in jail after an arrest a short while later for small-time cocaine possession. That same year, Chuck was charged with robbery with a weapon and sentenced as an adult, even though he was still 17.”
“Caught trafficking more than 400 grams of cocaine in 1996, Chuck Gillum was sentenced to 15 years in prison in 1999 as Andrew was attending Florida A&M University. In 2006, after Andrew became the youngest city commissioner in the history of Tallahassee, Eric Gillum was sentenced to nearly four years prison on burglary charges. Gillum’s mother was also arrested in 1996 and again in 2000 by Alachua County sheriff’s deputies and accused of writing worthless checks. Misdemeanor charges were dropped in both cases after restitution.”
And then:
“Gillum says he made a conscious decision in Miami that he would never get arrested.”
OOPS.
My prayers are with you and your family, especially your devoted wife. I hope and pray that you find peace, joy and happiness somewhere along your inevitable journey you are about to endure. We, the black community had extremely high hopes and desires of success for you but, you failed yourself, your wife and us, in so many disgusting ways. However, God forgives and we should do the same because we all have made bad decisions along the way. However, I suggest that you repent of your sins and seek God’s protection because you are going to need it during this sad and demanding time that you brought upon yourself. Pray!!!
I did not read this, me me me! You cheated the taxpayers, you cheated on your wife, you broke the law, why don’t you start apologizing to everyone you hurt and betrayed or committed a crime against? Start there and take accountability for your actions and quit trying to think you can talk yourself out of every disgusting little situation that you get yourself into. Be a man for once not a cry baby. You should spend your time praying to the Father Almighty, start there.
It says, a lot that a “Prominent Civil Rights Attorney” (i.e. Bubba Crump) would publicly raise money to defend a married man, who got bombed/stoned out of his mind and lost consciousness using drugs during a three-man, gay sex event is deserving of your money.
Call your good friend John Morgan, I am sure he would be happy to help you……….HaHaHaHa