When somebody is in hassle, they know who to get on their crew.

WFSU reviews civil rights legal professional Ben Crump has been crowdfunding for Andrew Gillum’s authorized protection. The previous Tallahassee mayor and 2018 gubernatorial candidate is accused of mendacity to the FBI and wire fraud in a marketing campaign finance scheme. Gillum and accused co-defendant Sharon Lettman-Hicks, have been indicted final June on prices that they illegally pocketed marketing campaign donations.

The 43-year-old allegedly spent the cash on lavish journeys, together with one to New York, the place cash was spent on lodge rooms, Statue of Liberty boat rides, and tickets to the Broadway present Hamilton. In accordance to Tallahassee Democrat, the costs happened after an undercover FBI probe, Operation Capital Foreign money, led to prior bribery convictions towards former Mayor Scott Maddox, his aide, Paige Carter-Smith, and businessman John “J.T.” Burnette.

Crowdfunding for public figures has grown fashionable at an eye-raising however efficient price. Former federal prosecutor Timothy Jansen says it opens doorways for critical cash to be raised. “I’ve seen GoFundMe grow to be extra fashionable not too long ago, in all probability within the final three to 5 years,” Jansen mentioned. “I’ve seen some high-profile instances the place GoFundMe was utilized to assist cowl the price of an costly trial and attempt to get actually good legal professionals to defend them.”

The draw back is there is no such thing as a approach to observe the place the cash comes from, particularly if presents are made anonymously, which causes extra authorized issues.

Gillum’s legal professionals, David Markus and Katherine Miller of Miami, requested to unseal a authorities movement accusing the FBI of utilizing medication, alcohol, and girls to “ensnare” their targets. Nevertheless, U.S. District Choose Allen Winsor shot them down earlier this week. Prosecutors declare they haven’t any motive to consider these allegations are something greater than brokers “conducting an applicable investigation.”

In an electronic mail, Markus thanked Crump and others for his or her fundraising efforts, with Gillum’s trial set to start in April.