Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum said the text messages and emails released Tuesday by the lawyer of a city lobbyist whom he had befriended for years were nothing more than a distraction orchestrated by his political opponent.
Gillum said in a Facebook video his campaign posted late Tuesday that the messages between him, lobbyist Adam Corey, Gillum’s brother and an undercover FBI agent known as Mike Miller merely confirmed that he attended the Broadway show “Hamilton“ in New York City.
Gillum said his brother, Marcus Gillum, gave him the ticket.
“At the time, we believed they were reserved by friends of Adams, Mike Miller,” Gillum said in the Facebook video of the Hamilton tickets. “And when I got there after work, I got my ticket, we went in and saw it — assumed my brother paid for it — and so far as I know that was the deal.”
Below is a timeline of some of the text messages between Corey, Gillum and Miller as they planned the 2016 New York trip and as the Tallahassee Community Redevelopment Agency approved the expansion of a neighborhood redevelopment zone. The expansion of the downtrodden neighborhood known as Frenchtown was made at Corey’s request as a lobbyist for what was described as Miller’s Atlanta-based Southern Pines Development LLC, according to the Tallahassee Democrat.
Gillum’s campaign declined to comment on the timeline.
June 23, 2016
The Tallahassee Community Redevelopment Agency approved the expansion of the Frenchtown redevelopment zone on June 23, 2016, which fulfilled a request from Corey on behalf of Southern Pines Development LLC. Gillum was marked absent at the meeting.
June 29, 2016
One week after the CRA approved the project, Corey and Miller began to trade text messages about potential trips to Las Vegas and New York sometime in August.
“I am meeting with AG [Gillum] in the AM to get options,” Corey told Miller. “He was all over the place today.”
July 8, 2016
Miller asked Corey, “How many for the NYC trip?”
Corey responded the trip would be attended by, “me, AG and his bro.”
July 12, 2016
Miller gave Corey an update on his plans for the New York trip, which included a boat ride in New York harbor and hotel accommodations.
“I have the boat lined up for the trip in August,” Miller texted to Corey. “I will get the rooms booked.”
July 13, 2016
The Tallahassee City Commission, including Gillum, approved the Frenchtown expansion as requested by Southern Pines. The item was among several items on a consent agenda.
July 19, 2016
Miller asked Corey for Gillum’s cellphone number because he wanted to thank him.
“I wanted to thank AG for his support last week,” Miller wrote. “Should I text or call him?”
Aug. 9, 2016
Miller offered to obtain tickets for Corey to “Hamilton.”
“Looks like weather might not be great tomorrow. Maybe a show instead? Have you seen Hamilton?” Miller asked.
Corey responded, “That would be epic!!!!”
Aug. 10, 2016
Corey told Gillum that Miller arranged tickets to Hamilton.
“Hey Brother. Just checking in with you. Mike miller and the crew have tickets for us for Hamilton tonight at 8 p.m.,” Corey wrote to Gillum.
Gillum responded to Corey: “Awesome news about Hamilton.”
Tom Williams 