Florida Politician Andrew Gillum Linked to Suspected Meth Overdose in Hotel

Mayor Andrew Gillum in Destin, Florida - October, 31 2018 (Credit: Shutterstock)

Andrew Gillum, the former Tallahassee mayor who came close to being elected governor of Florida, was involved in a crystal meth overdose incident early Friday at a Miami Beach hotel, according to a police report obtained by the Miami Herald.

A Miami Beach Police Department report said a 56-year-old man named Aldo Mejias called for help at the Mondrian Hotel around 1 a.m. Friday. Officers found Gillum there with Mejias and a 30-year-old man named Travis Dyson, who was being treated by paramedics for a suspected drug overdose.

Mejias told officers he arrived at the hotel around 11 p.m., and found Dyson and Gillum inside the room under the influence of an unknown substance. Dyson opened the door and collapsed on the bed, while Gillum was vomiting in the bathroom, the police report said.

Related Story: Andrew Gillum Going to Rehab After Hotel Overdose Incident

Mejias told officers he performed CPR on Dyson and then called paramedics. The report stated Gillum was too “inebriated” to speak with officers, though he was later said to be in stable condition with normal vital signs. Dyson was taken to an area hospital and is also in stable condition.

The police report stated officers found three plastic baggies of suspected crystal meth on the bed and floor.

In a prepared statement issued after the news broke, Gillum denied using drugs and offered an apology.

“I was in Miami last night for a wedding celebration when first responders were called to assist one of my friends,” Gillum said in the statement. “While I had too much to drink, I want to be clear that I have never used methamphetamines. I apologize to the people of Florida for the distraction this has caused our movement.”

He went on to thank first responders for their help.

“I’m thankful to the incredible Miami Beach EMS team for their efforts. I will spend the next few weeks with my family and appreciate privacy during this time,” he added.

Gillum, a Miami native, became Florida’s first African-American nominee for governor when he won the state’s Democratic primary in 2018. He narrowly lost the November general election to Republican Ron DeSantis. A recount showed Gillum lost by less than 35,000 votes.

In February 2019, Gillum announced he had joined CNN as a political commenter. His name was recently mentioned in some media circles as a possible running mate if former Vice President Joe Biden gets the Democratic party presidential nomination.

CNN had no comment on Friday’s incident.


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About Anita Bennett

Anita Bennett is the editor and founder of Urban Hollywood 411. She can be reached on Twitter @tvanita.