Ron DeSantis criticizes Andrew Gillum about a date on Broadway

Gillum responded by asking DeSantis to publish his travel records to Congress, which, according to Gillum, would reveal that taxpayers billed by the Republican would go on cable TV channels.

The stories of the FBI and travels were first reported by USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida and became central issues in the campaign.

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The text contradicts Gillum's previous statements about tickets for the Broadway show "Hamilton". They also highlighted a trip to Costa Rica with lobbyists who had business before the city.

Todd McDermott, moderator of the debate twice, reminded the two candidates that no one could hear them when they spoke to each other.

When the skirmishes related to travel broke out, McDermott left the candidates room for maneuver to exceed the deadlines. But while the quarrels continued and were disputed with the three men speaking at the same time, McDermott informed the candidates that he would not extend the time allotted.

TO CLOSE

One is supported by President Donald Trump, the other by Senator Bernie Sanders.
Nate Chute, IndyStar

The first fight took place seven minutes after the start of the debate, which lasted an hour when DeSantis spoke about SMS while he was discussing what he described as Gillum's lack of support for the Law enforcement.

"He had the money for which he had not paid in Costa Rica, about $ 1000. They had business before the city with these lobbyists Guess what?" Andrew was getting things that he had. he should not have gotten and they signed a $ 2 million contract from the city That's what corruption is, when you get something you should not have, "said DeSantis . "He did not say anything like it."

Gillum replied that DeSantis had misrepresented the facts about the Broadway show and the holidays that he had spent with his wife and friends that he had known since the couple was in college. He said his GOP rival wanted to talk about anything else because he was lacking a set of political proposals to run Florida.

"The problems facing the citizens of this state are accessibility to health care, affordable housing and paying teachers what they are worth," Gillum said. "They are all drawn by the first minutes of this debate but by lies of this gentleman."

In the documents used by DeSantis to stage the attack, Corey, a municipal lobbyist and longtime friend of the mayor, told Gillum that the tickets for Hamilton came from a "Mike Miller", agent of the company. infiltration of the FBI pretending to be a developer before the city.

"Excellent news," was Gillum's answer.

Last year, Gillum refused to answer questions from the Tallahassee Democrat regarding this trip. Later, he told The Washington Post that he had received the theatrical ticket from his brother, Marcus, who, he said, would have paid the price.

DeSantis used the newly disclosed information to call Gillum a liar and declare the mayor unsuitable for his duties.

"He would not accept the responsibility of getting a $ 1,000 bill from a recent FBI secret agent debate." We now know that he lied about it. "said DeSantis, returning to the incident 30 minutes later in the event produced Wednesday by WPBF-TV and Florida Press. Association.

"At some point, you have to accept responsibility for what you have done and show leadership," DeSantis reprimanded Gillum.

As he has done since the revelation of the FBI 's investigation of City Hall more than a year ago, Mr. Gillum stated that he was not doing anything about it. subject of the investigation and, as in the previous debate in which DeSantis had told more than 20 lies, the opponent does not tell the truth.

"I am not the subject of an FBI investigation, nor is my city, and there is no evidence to prove it, but my opponent is doing everything he can to defend his cause," Gillum said. "I'm getting my ticket from my brother.The problem is that I should have asked more questions to make sure everything that happened was above all else." . "

The FBI Tallahassee public corruption investigation became the GOP's main topic of discussion in the last two weeks of the campaign. A survey of the Florida Ethics Commission on Gillum's number of trips as mayor was intimately related to the case.

The Florida Republican Party has criticized Gillum in television commercials linking him to an FBI inquiry that seems to center on the relationship between a city commissioner and a local redevelopment authority.

The investigation of the ethics commission was triggered by a frequent spokesman of the town hall. Submission documents were cited, including a Gillum Broadway outing and tour, a vacation to Costa Rica with Corey and his longtime ally, and lobbyist Sean Pittman.

Gillum violated the state's ban on donations of $ 100 on out-of-town trips with lobbyists and vendors. The documents summoned were released Tuesday by Corey's lawyer, Chris Kise, a former member of the transitional Governor Rick Scott's team.

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Democratic nominee Andrew Gillum attends the FAMU members' return match at Bragg Memorial Stadium on Saturday, October 6, 2018. (Photo: Alicia Devine / Democrat)

DeSantis has repeatedly referred to the information recently published in his points of discussion during the election campaign and in his responses to Wednesday's debate. When asked when he would publish all his travel receipts from his six years in Congress, DeSantis made a comparison with Gillum.

"Andrew and I both received money from the federal government.The difference is that I got my money legally and through my congressional office to get to Florida and come back Six times a week Andrew received money from the federal government because it was a secret investigation of the FBI, "said DeSantis.

"Release the receipts," Gillum dismissed. "Mine have been made public."