Andrew Gillum trial: Rising Democratic star faces 17 counts of fraud, lying to FBI during bid against DeSantis

Former Democratic nominee for Florida governor Andrew Gillum is on trial for fraud charges and lying to the FBI, stemming from his campaign against Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Gary Milligan said in opening statements that Gillum still had a large mortgage, was making payments on two expensive cars and affording private school tuition for his children when he quit his 6-figure job to run for office. He then had a hard time affording his lifestyle, so he used campaign funding to bankroll his personal life, Milligan argued.

"This case is not about politics," Milligan said. "This case is about deceiving donors (and) stealing from his own campaign."