Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, a Democratic candidate for governor in 2018, said Friday that he was "approached" by the FBI last week to discuss an unfolding investigation into potential wrongdoing related to city development efforts.
"Last week the FBI approached me about several people and businesses here in Tallahassee," Gillum said in a statement issued by his city office. "I spoke with them, and told them they could expect both the city and my personal cooperation with their investigation. They assured me I was not the focus of an investigation, and that they would be moving quickly with their work."
The mayor's comments came the day after subpoenas surfaced confirming a federal investigation involving, at least in part, a high-end Tallahassee eatery named The Edison.
The Edison received city support during renovations to a historic power plant where the restaurant is located.
The subpoenas ask for city records related to about two-dozen individuals and companies, most of them involved in construction or other contracting areas.
In his statement Friday, Gillum pledged to address any corruption found by the investigation.
"If corruption has taken place in our city, those parties must be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law," he said. "We will not tolerate, enable, or turn a blind eye to corruption. While no one likes the city being under the FBI's scrutiny, in light of what is happening nationally, we must remember that the FBI is here to protect us and we must aid them in their work."
Gillum faces former Congresswoman Gwen Graham and Winter Park business Chris King in the Democratic gubernatorial primary.