TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — The Florida Commission of Ethics is asking that a decision be delayed in Andrew Gillum's ethics hearing so Adam Corey, a key witness in the case, can testify.
Monday, a prosecutor for the Florida Commission of Ethics, asked that the judge presiding over Andrew Gillum's ethics hearing hold back on a decision until August in hopes that his former close friend, lobbyist Adam Corey can testify in August.
Last week, the judge denied a request from the commission to postpone the former Tallahassee mayor’s hearing from the end of April to August so that Corey, can testify. In Monday's ruling, Judge E. Gary Early said that the request was "premature," so he will wait to make a decision after Gillum's hearing concludes. At that time, the commission will be able to present evidence regarding Corey's schedule "and whether a reasonable — and short — period to effectuate that participation is warranted."
"Mr. Corey is a critical witness to the facts and issues raised in this matter and his testimony is relevant, material and necessary to a full disclosure of the facts at issue," Elizabeth Miller, the attorney for the Florida Commission of Ethics, wrote in the motion.
Gillum's attorney, Barry Richard, has opposed the request, citing evidence that Corey was not willing to testify.
“Granting the motion to hold the evidence open until August would render the denial of a continuance meaningless, and [Gillum] would still be forced to wait several months with a cloud hanging over his head,” Richard wrote. "... it would be unfair to allow [The Florida Commission of Ethics] months to prepare a rebuttal."
