Legislative Update - June 24, 2022

Governor DeSantis received the remaining 37 bills from the 2022 session.  He has until July 2 to sign, veto or let the bills become law without his signature.  The Legislature passed 285 bills during the session.

The Governor signed legislation that prohibits local and state governments from contracting with businesses that transport undocumented immigrants, unless they are transporting them out of Florida.

Andrew Gillum, who narrowly lost to Gov. Ron DeSantis in the 2018 governor's race, was indicted Wednesday on federal corruption charges related to his time as mayor of Tallahassee and the Democratic gubernatorial nominee four years ago. Gillum was charged in the 21-count indictment with wire fraud related to fundraising, conspiracy and making false statements to the FBI.

Below are articles about the issues mentioned above and more …

Business Issues …

The state's unemployment rate held at 3% in May, unchanged from April, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity said last Friday. The agency estimated that 313,000 Floridians were out of work in May, down 8,000 from April. Florida's unemployment rate remains lower than the national unemployment rate, which is currently at 3.6%.DEO May Employment Figures

South Florida houses hit record prices, home- affordability crisis squeezes region - South Florida housing prices reached historic highs in May, after several months of price jumps have vaulted price tags on existing homes beyond what most residents can afford. Although the Federal Reserve has boosted its key interest rate multiple times since February, that’s done little to slow South Florida’s housing juggernaut. The home affordability crisis lingers due to the swelling home prices, lean supply of houses and condos to buy, stiff competition from out-of-state and cash offers. [Source: Miami Herald]

“Florida gas prices dropping, may not hit $5 per gallon after all” via Jay Cridlin of the Tampa Bay Times — Gas prices in Florida have fallen 7 cents per gallon in the past week, according to AAA The Auto Club Group, hitting $4.82 on average on Sunday, down from an all-time high of $4.89 the week before. The drops reflect a similar change nationwide. Gas has dropped below $5 per gallon nationally as the Federal Reserve’s latest interest rate increase has diminished demand by stoking fears of a recession, said AAA representative Mark Jenkins. Reports that the Biden administration may tighten limits on petroleum exports — which had driven up prices to international buyers — may also be keeping prices in check. This drove U.S. oil prices down 9% in the last week.

July 4 travel forecast to surge in Florida despite high gas prices - Millions of Floridians are expected to hit the road for Fourth of July travel, despite high gas prices, according to AAA. AAA is predicting 2.6 million Florida residents will travel 50 or more miles from June 30-July 4, with over 2.3 million traveling by car. The auto group said the number of Floridians driving for the holiday is expected to be the most on record. More from Click Orlando.

Legislative …

“DeSantis signs measure returning beach smoking bans back to local govs” via Kelly Hayes of Florida Politics — Local governments can now regulate the use of cigarettes on the beach after DeSantis signed the new measure into law Friday. The new rule (HB 105) empowers cities and counties to regulate cigarettes in parks, including beaches. That’s a change from Florida’s previous law, which restricted the right to regulate outdoor smoking only to the state. Many cities and counties have tried to ban smoking on beaches in the past, but a ruling in a 2017 case brought by the ACLU against a Sarasota ban on smoking in parks made clear no local ordinance could regulate outdoor smoking. Sen. Joe Gruters and Rep. Randy Fine sponsored the legislation. It cleared the Senate in a 30-7 vote, and the House in a 105-10 vote.

Fla Homeowners Premiums Expected to Increase to Nearly Three Times National Average - Florida homeowners insurance policy premiums are expected to increase to an average of $4,231 in 2022, almost three times the national average property insurance premium of $1,544, the Insurance Information Institute said Thursday. The head of the industry group said the continuing increases in premiums have less to do with actual damage losses or disaster exposure and more to do with lawsuits. "Floridians are seeing homeowners insurance become costlier and scarcer because for years the state has been the home of too much litigation and too many fraudulent roof replacement schemes," said Sean Kevelighan, the institute's CEO. "These two factors contributed enormously to the net underwriting losses Florida's homeowners insurers cumulatively incurred between 2016 and 2021." The institute said last year the typical Florida policyholder paid $3,181 for coverage, up from an average of $2,505 in 2020. Lawmakers last month passed legislation (SB 2D) that created a new optional layer of reinsurance for companies and made some changes to litigation rules, but even backers of the legislation said it would take time before the changes would make a difference in the market. Insurance Information Institute Release

“DeSantis continues promoting permitless carry following SCOTUS ruling” via Renzo Downey of Florida Politics — DeSantis is lauding the U.S. Supreme Court for its ruling Thursday that expands and protects the Second Amendment. DeSantis has vowed to expand Floridians’ ability to carry firearms, and the court’s 6-3 decision released Thursday morning is already pressing the issue. During an appearance in Fort Lauderdale Thursday afternoon, a reporter asked DeSantis whether the decision that Americans have a right to carry firearms in public affects his own plans. In Florida, DeSantis has promised to pass permitless carry legislation in recent months, vowing to pass such a proposal before leaving office. Such a law, dubbed “constitutional carry” by advocates, would remove the need for Floridians to acquire a permit to carry a handgun, although definitions differ on whether such legislation applies to open or concealed carry.

DeSantis Signs Immigrant Flight Bill - Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation Friday that prohibits local and state governments from contracting with businesses that transport undocumented immigrants, unless they are transporting them out of Florida. SB 1808 also requires some Florida law enforcement agencies to take part in a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement program that trains officers to identify and remove noncitizens. The state budget, approved by the governor this month, includes $12 million to remove illegal immigrants who have been transported by the federal government into Florida. In addition to signing the new immigration bill into law on Friday, DeSantis announced that his office has filed a petition with the Florida Supreme Court requesting an order to call for a statewide grand jury to examine international human smuggling networks that bring illegal aliens across the Southern border. He also announced the creation of a statewide "strike force" comprised of state and local law enforcement, in collaboration with Florida Highway Patrol, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Sheriff's office, that seeks to combat illegal drug smuggling, human trafficking and illegal firearm carrying. DeSantis Press Release / Orlando Sentinel / Associated Press / WFLA

New Law Requires Plan for Cleaning Up 'Forever Chemicals' - Florida will begin to clean up perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, otherwise known as PFAS. Gov. Ron DeSantis this week signed a bill (HB 1475) that requires the Department of Environmental Protection to identify statewide cleanup target levels of the substances. The chemical compounds have been used in firefighting foams and everyday household items, such as nonstick frying pans. But the chemical compounds don't easily break down and have recently been found in drinking water and soil. The chemicals were previously used in the aerospace, medical and construction industries dating back to the 1950s. There is currently no nationwide regulation of PFAs. Florida Politics

Fight over Florida's new tech law headed to US Supreme Court - Attorneys for the state and online-industry groups plan to go to the U.S. Supreme Court in a battle about a 2021 Florida law that would crack down on social-media giants such as Facebook and Twitter, according to new court filings. The filings effectively seek to put proceedings on hold in a federal district court and the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals while the case goes to the Supreme Court. [Source: News Service of Florida]

Health Care …

AHCA Rule Prohibits Medicaid Coverage for Gender Dysphoria - The Agency for Health Care Administration published a rule on Friday that would ban Medicaid coverage for treatment of gender dysphoria, or identification with the gender other than the one a person was born with, saying it isn't medically necessary. The rule would prohibit "gender affirming care," including coverage for puberty blockers, hormone antagonists, sex reassignment surgeries and other procedures that alter primary or secondary sexual characteristics. A hearing on the new proposed rule is scheduled for Friday, July 8. The Hill

“Medicaid for Florida’s transgender youth at risk under Gov. DeSantis” via Gershon Harrell of The Gainesville Sun — Cai Husband was only in fifth grade when she told her mother that she wasn't comfortable in her own skin. Assigned male at birth, Cai expressed how she was struggling internally with her gender identity and didn’t know how to live her life as a young man. They called the pediatrician and had an emergency visit, which led to a pediatric endocrinologist and gender psychologist. The diagnosis: gender dysphoria. The Husband family was luckier than most. With access to health care, they were able to meet with physicians and get the assistance they needed. But that may no longer be the case for others in similar situations under a new proposal from the DeSantis administration.

Plastic Surgeons Challenge New 'Butt Lift' Rules - A group of licensed plastic surgeons has launched Surgeons for Safety, which aims to advocate for safer gluteal fat grafting procedures, otherwise known as "Brazilian butt lifts." An emergency order issued earlier this month by the Florida Board of Medicine bans surgeons from performing more than one of the procedures per day and requires the use of ultrasound during the procedure. The organization and seven plastic surgeons requested Florida's 3rd District Court of Appeal to block the emergency order. "The emergency rule does not promote safety; it actually threatens patient safety by imposing an unproven, radical departure from accepted techniques for performing gluteal fat transfers," said attorney Bruce Rogow, who is representing the coalition of doctors. Surgeons for Safety president Constantino Mendieta said the group wants to do more than just block the emergency order. "In addition to challenging the Board of Medicine's Emergency Order .. Surgeons for Safety will release safety measures, such as recommended educational requirements for plastic surgeons performing these procedures and will seek to work alongside our regulatory partners to achieve true safety measures," he said. Surgeons for Safety Press Release / Florida Politics

“Florida health officials warn of growing meningococcal outbreak” via Christopher O’Donnell of the Tampa Bay Times — State health officials are warning the public about a rise in the number of statewide cases of meningococcal disease. However, there are few cases in the Tampa Bay region. The disease first appears as a flu-like illness, with fever, headache and a stiff neck, and rapidly worsens, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The two most common types of meningococcal infections are meningitis and septicemia, both of which can be deadly in a matter of hours. In meningitis, bacteria infect the lining of the brain and spinal cord and cause swelling.

Flu cases hit high numbers in Southwest Florida in early summer; slowdown starting now” via Liz Freeman of the Fort Myers News-Press — Southwest Florida has been experiencing flu cases higher than normal this summer, but the numbers are starting to drop, according to hospital officials. Lee Health, the largest hospital system in Lee County, is reporting 304 flu cases for the week ending June 18 combined at its hospitals and outpatient settings. At the NCH Healthcare System in Collier County, there were 206 cases of flu for the first three weeks of June. A weekly breakdown from NCH was not readily available. A year ago, in June 2021, NCH had no flu cases when masks against COVID-19 were still being worn.

Monkeypox cases have risen to 10 in Florida, according to the state Department of Health. As of last week, eight infections were reported in Broward County and one each in Orange and Collier counties. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported 113 infections in the U.S. No fatalities have been reported and health officials are emphasizing the disease is not as contagious as COVID but they recommend that infected individuals isolate themselves to prevent the virus from spreading. The World Health Organization will consider declaring a global emergency following the recent outbreaks at a meeting scheduled for later this week. WMFE

Two new certificate of need applications for hospice programs were tentatively approved by the Agency for Health Care Administration on Monday. Gulfside Hospice, Inc. plans to open a 24-bed inpatient facility in Pasco County worth $13,066,020 by Jan. 1, 2024. Affinity Care of Charlotte and DeSoto, LLC plans to open a new hospice program in Charlotte County. The state's tentative decision to approve the two new programs is expected to be challenged in administrative court. Three other applicants vying to serve in areas across Florida with a need for end-of-life services were rejected. Health care programs, such as nursing homes and hospice care services, are required to prove the need for a new facility and meet certain other requirements in order to be granted a certificate of need, or CON. Florida Politics

“Patient death spurs Orlando Health nurses to sound alarm about staffing” via Caroline Catherman of the Orlando Sentinel — The suicide of a patient at Orlando Regional Medical Center last month has fueled unrest among nurses about what some describe as severe understaffing at the hospital, though a state review found the facility was not at fault for the death. On May 27, a TikTok user known as Nurse Nander posted a video sharing several widely percolating rumors, including that short-staffing contributed to the May 16 suicide, in which a patient broke open the window of his eighth-floor room and jumped to his death. In the following weeks, the video garnered over 1.5 million views. Comments about short staffing and poor working conditions at Orlando Health poured in from dozens of users who claimed to be employees.

“There’s a health gap in South Florida’s Black communities. Here’s what can be done” via Grethel Aguila of the Miami Herald — When Melida Akiti’s son-in-law suffered from severe abdominal pain, he trudged over to urgent care. He checked in and waited, only to be discharged with nothing but Tylenol. The experience is why he — and many other people of color — hate hospital visits. At midnight, he called Akiti, a vice president at Memorial Healthcare System, in excruciating pain. She took him to the same urgent care center and demanded to know why the staff ignored his ailments. Then the matter was taken seriously — seriously enough to hospitalize him for four days. He could have died without treatment.

COVID …

“COVID-19 vaccination count drops by 60,000; DeSantis administration won’t say why” via Chris Persaud of The Palm Beach Post — Florida removed tens of thousands of people from its COVID-19 vaccination tally in the past two weeks, and DeSantis administration officials refuse to explain why. Florida’s inoculation count dropped by 60,514 people, state Health Department figures released Friday show. The state’s published vaccination total had been dropping by more than 1,000 every two weeks since April 8 in its biweekly COVID-19 reports, but this was the first time it recorded a five-figure decrease. Health Department Press Secretary Jeremy Redfern refused to explain the drop. He has said immunization totals are “preliminary” but has offered no further explanation for the declines. When asked Friday to explain the five-figure decline, he replied, “The same reason as every time.”

“Miami has one of highest U.S. COVID-19 infection rates. Will the virus hurt summer tourism?” via Anna Jean Kaiser of the Miami Herald — Miami-Dade County is experiencing its largest surge of COVID-19 infections since the omicron variant ripped through the region in January. Yet tourists interviewed last week were undeterred from traveling to South Florida due to the greater risk of contracting the pandemic disease. As of June 13, Miami-Dade’s coronavirus test positivity rate jumped to 21%, up from 5% in early April, causing alarm for local public health officials and making the area a coronavirus hot spot among top U.S. tourist destinations. Tourism operators in the Miami area have rebounded sharply over the winter and are riding strong momentum into summer. The industry remains a cash cow for Miami-Dade, so another pandemic-induced travel standstill would be devastating for airlines, hotels, cruise lines, local restaurants and bars.

Florida Doctors Can Order COVID Vaccine for Kids - White House and state officials said late last week that individual doctors in Florida can order doses of COVID vaccines for children under 5, though the state isn't promoting the vaccine and won't order it for health care providers as the other states in the country are doing. Gov. Ron DeSantis has said he doesn't think the vaccine should be pushed to young children, but that it's up to parents to decide whether they want to vaccinate younger children. A vaccine for kids under 5 is expected to be available in the coming days after approval of the shots by federal officials late last week. Associated Press / Tampa Bay Times / FDOH Press Release

Doctors ‘thrilled’ to order COVID vaccines for young kids after DeSantis changes course - Pediatricians across Florida have begun ordering COVID-19 vaccines for their patients under 5 after Gov. Ron DeSantis changed course Friday and allowed doctors and hospitals in the state to get them from a federal program. On Thursday, Florida doctors and hospitals could not preorder the vaccine for their infant and toddler patients because the state health department refused to order the vaccines from the federal government, the only state in the country that took this stance. [Source: Miami Herald

“DeSantis says White House lying about COVID-19 vaccine policy” via Louis Casiano of Yahoo News — DeSantis on Monday said the White House lied about his state's COVID-19 vaccine policy changes and that the media has largely chosen to ignore it. The Republican was in Callahan, just north of Jacksonville, when he was asked about a debate on vaccines that occurred Friday and comments from the Biden administration last week that he had changed course and was ordering vaccines for young children. "The White House is lying about it, surprise. Not surprised the White House would lie, definitely not surprised that legacy media would amplify the lie, because that’s what they do," DeSantis said. Earlier in the week, Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo said he disagreed with the FDA's decision to administer COVID-19 vaccines for kids under 5.

Lakeland-based Publix says it won't offer COVID vaccines to children under 5. The grocery chain will continue to offer the COVID vaccines for kids 5 and up, and will continue to offer other vaccines for younger children, including flu shots. Tampa Bay Times

“Florida surpasses 75,000 COVID-19 deaths; two-thirds of state in high-risk category for community spread” via David Schutz and Cindy Krischer Goodman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel — Florida reached a grim milestone this week: More than 75,000 people in the state have died of COVID-19. The new death toll comes as COVID hospitalizations are rising to levels last experienced during Florida’s winter surge and two-thirds of the counties in the state — including South Florida’s three counties — have moved into the red zone for elevated risk of community spread. Over the past two weeks, another 506 COVID-related deaths were reported in Florida and more than 300 were admitted to Florida hospitals with the virus, an indication that some Floridians are at substantial risk from the omicron strains now circulating.

Florida Supreme Court …

“Judge Renatha Francis lied on her application to join the Florida Supreme Court” via Noreen Marcus of FloridaBulldog.org — Francis, a family court judge in West Palm Beach said to be DeSantis’ favorite for the job, answered “No” when asked: “Has a complaint about you ever been made to the Judicial Qualifications Commission?” If so, the applicant must provide details to the JQC, a state agency investigating allegations of judicial misconduct. Francis signed the application she submitted to the Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission, declaring she answered all questions “truthfully, fully and completely.” In fact, at least one — and as many as three — JQC complaints have been filed against Francis. Making a “false official statement in writing with the intent to mislead a public servant in the performance of his or her official duty” is a second-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to 60 days in jail and a fine of up to $500 under Florida Statutes Section 837.06.

Campaigns and Elections …

More than a fourth of the Florida Legislature is elected without opposition for 2022  - Florida voters won’t have a say in more than a quarter of state legislative races after Friday’s qualifying deadline expired with no apparent opposition filed in 45 House and Senate seats where a Democrat or Republican failed to draw a challenger. Currently, Republicans hold a 76-42 edge in the Florida House, with two vacancies, and a 23-16 advantage in the Senate, with one vacancy. [Source: Miami Herald]

A poll of likely Florida Democratic voters shows Charlie Crist maintaining a solid lead over Nikki Fried in the Governor’s race.

St. Pete Polls’ latest survey, conducted for Florida Politics, shows greater than 49% favor Crist, a Democratic St. Petersburg Congressman and former GOP Governor. About 24% prefer Fried, Florida’s current Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Pollsters surveyed 1,007 registered Democrats and reported a 3.1% margin of error on the results. The poll was conducted June 16 and 17.

“Wilton Simpson on his way to becoming Ag. Commissioner, but first he must beat a tomato can” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — It looks like Simpson has a fairly clear path to becoming Florida’s next Agriculture Commissioner. With the qualifying period closed, the Trilby Republican faces only token opposition in a Republican Primary and underfunded opposition from Florida Democrats. James Shaw, whose bio mentions he owns a 30-acre composting farm and has owned three Auntie Anne’s pretzel franchises, did pay the qualifying fee to appear on the ballot. But Shaw has assembled around $37,000, with $35,000 of that coming out of pocket. Meanwhile, he’s reported more than $69,000 in expenditures but, to date, garnered little notice as a candidate.

“Jimmy Patronis, Adam Hattersley advance directly to General Election in CFO race” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — It looks like there will be no Primary season in the race for CFO. Former state Rep. Hattersley was the only Democrat to qualify for the Cabinet position. Patronis also won’t see a challenge within his own Party. Patronis has served in the Cabinet post since 2017 when then-Gov. Rick Scott first appointed him. The position opened after former CFO Jeff Atwater resigned to take a position at Florida Atlantic University. Hattersley launched his campaign for the job in March. He has focused on Patronis in the months since, hopeful there would be no Primary challenge dividing Democrats ahead of the Midterm Elections this year. Hattersley served in the Florida House and ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 2020.

“On last day of candidate qualifying, appellate court rules DeSantis’ map will stand for 2022 elections” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — An appellate court formally reversed a lower court decision to block Florida’s new congressional map this year. On the same day the clock ran out on candidates for Congress, the ruling came. The 1st District Court of Appeal ruled Leon Circuit Judge Layne Smith strayed from the law when he ordered a different map for the 2022 Elections. “The temporary injunction on review is unlawful on its face,” reads the appellate court decision. Smith, in May, declared a map signed by DeSantis and designed by his staff violated the Fair Districts amendment to the state constitution by diminishing the ability of Black voters in North Florida to choose a congressional Representative of their choice. He ordered not to use DeSantis’ map and later vacated an automatic stay after the state appealed his decision.

First Lady Casey DeSantis launched Mamas for DeSantis to campaign for her husband's re-election as governor. The group is aimed at highlighting DeSantis' agenda to expand the rights of parents. "Mamas for DeSantis will work in partnership with Gov. Ron DeSantis' re-election campaign as a movement for Florida moms, grandmas, abuelas, nanas and more to get involved in the re-election campaign," said a statement from the group. "With the goal of signing up a million mamas across the state of Florida, this initiative will be the largest movement of parents in Florida history." Florida Politics / Fox News

“Florida companies dump millions into backdoor fundraising channel for Ron DeSantis” via Zac Anderson of USA Today Network-Florida

“Bean lands endorsements of 20 Clay County officials for CD 4” via Wes Wolfe of Florida Politics

Aaron Bean drops $20K on CD 4 ads — Republican Bean’s campaign for Florida’s 4th Congressional District placed a $19,845 ad buy on Thursday. The flight, brokered through Mentzer Media Services, will air ads on Fox News within the Jacksonville media market from June 25-July 1. According to AdImpact, the new buy brings Bean’s total spent to $34,358 since he entered the race on June 3. He is one of six candidates who qualified for the ballot in the Northeast Florida district, including lesser-known Republicans Erick Aguilar and Jon Chuba. CD 4 is an odds-on Republican district, but Democrats drew two contenders in former state Sen. Tony Hill and education and health care advocate LaShonda Holloway.

“Mark Lombardo says Matt Gaetz can ‘no longer get the job done’ in CD 1” via Drew Wilson of Florida Politics — Republican congressional candidate Lombardo has released a new ad for his campaign to oust U.S. Rep. Gaetz in Florida’s 1st Congressional District. Lombardo, a former U.S. Marine who served in Vietnam, entered the race June 15 and pledged to put $1 million into his campaign. This week, the Pensacola Republican launched his first TV ad. “When I was living in a trailer in Pensacola, flying combat missions in Vietnam, or helping grow FedEx into an American icon, I never thought I'd run for Congress, but when I learned that Matt Gaetz hired pedophile Jeffrey Epstein's attorney to defend himself against sex trafficking, I knew he could no longer get the job done,” Lombardo says in the 30-second ad.

”Lake Ray picks up more legislative endorsements in HD 16 effort” via Wes Wolfe of Florida Politics

Lawmakers Accused of Raising Money During Special Sessions - State legislators on both sides of the aisle are accusing members of the opposite party of illegally accepting campaign contributions while the Legislature was in session. House Rules prohibit members from collecting money for re-election during sessions. Republicans initially alleged that 10 incumbent House Democrats seeking re-election had accepted campaign money while lawmakers were in session. The GOP accused Rep. David Silvers, D-West Palm Beach, of being the worst offender, alleging he collected $85,750 through his political committee when the Legislature was in session. Silvers argued his committee is shared with other candidates vying for local municipal offices and contributions made while lawmakers were in session can't be solely attributed to his campaign. Democrats have now also responded with a list of GOP legislators they allege took donations during sessions, which Republicans also deny was the case. Democratic legislative leadership cited six Republican lawmakers accepting contributions during sessions. Most of those were small amounts, including an allegation that Rep. Alex Rizo, R-Coral Gables, accepted a $1 contribution during the May special session. Democrats alleged that two Republicans, however, Rep. Webster Barnaby, R-Orange City, and Rep. Bob Rommel, R-Naples, each raised more than $5,000 during special sessions. Republican campaign officials deny the countercharges. Rommel, for example, said the contributions he's alleged of illegally accepting came in before the session started and that his campaign was in full compliance with the law.  Florida Politics

Andrew Gillum Charged in 21-Count Federal Corruption Indictment - Andrew Gillum, who narrowly lost to Gov. Ron DeSantis in the 2018 governor's race, was indicted Wednesday on federal corruption charges related to his time as mayor of Tallahassee and the Democratic gubernatorial nominee four years ago. Gillum, 42, was charged in the 21-count indictment with wire fraud related to fundraising, conspiracy and making false statements to the FBI. Gillum's political and business associate, Sharon Lettman-Hicks, who qualified last week as a candidate in the race for House District 8 in the Legislature, was also charged. The Department of Justice accuses the two of schemes that involved soliciting contributions in exchange for awarding city contracts and fraudulently diverting some money to Gillum for his personal use. Gillum, who appeared in court Wednesday and was released pending trial, pleaded not guilty and proclaimed his innocence through his lawyers. Associated Press / Orlando Sentinel / Tampa Bay Times / Tallahassee Democrat / Politico / NPR / New York Times / Fox News / NBC News / DOJ Press Release