By: Mariel Carbone

March 30, 2017

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) — Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum is under fire once again as more emails were released from a City purchased software system, NGP VAN.

Those emails, dating back to 2015. A majority of the emails are related to City events like the Longest Table. However, one email sent was an invitation to a fundraising event for the Florida Democratic Party. Gillum and the Florida Democratic Party Vice Chair Allison Tant chaired the event, which happened on August 31, 2015.

Gillum critic and Chairman of the Leon County Republican Party, Evan Power, said the latest email calls into question the Mayor’s credibility.

"He once again violated the law in fundraising, from fundraising from City tax payer funded account,” said Power. “And I think it raises questions about the credibility of what the Mayor knows, and what he's telling people, and what he's hiding from his constituents."

Leon County Democratic Executive Committee Chairman Andy Janecek fired back, saying, "Republicans continue to do and say anything to distract from the disastrous failures of the Trump Presidency. The city has been reimbursed and it's time for Evan Power to get a new hobby. Professional trolling won't help put anyone back to work or make sure every Floridian has access to healthcare."

Eyewitness News received information of about 60 blast emails that the City of Tallahassee sent using the software system earlier this month.

According to the company website, NGP VAN “is the leading technology provider to Democratic and progressive campaigns and organizations, offering clients an integrated platform of the best fundraising, compliance, field, organizing, digital, and social networking products.”

The emails include topics like the Family First Summit, the Longest Table and more. However, a handful had political ties.

Those include emails related to Gillum’s speech at the Democratic National Convention, Vice President Joe Biden’s visit to Tallahassee, and Gillum’s Defend Local Solutions Campaign.

Mayor Gillum has acknowledged that the emails were not officially government related. He has since apologized and reimbursed the City for the cost of the software.

Following the information regarding those emails, Jefferson County resident Paul Henry sent a complaint to State Attorney Jack Campbell requesting an investigation.

It states:

“I am writing to request the Leon County Grand Jury investigate City of Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum’s purchase of several thousand dollars of political software via public funds… I believe his actions may constitute grand theft… and official misconduct….”

The Leon County Sheriff’s Office formally began that investigation on March 10.

The Mayor’s Office released this statement following the initial launch of the LCSO investigation:

"The state attorney has a duty to follow up on the complaints his office receives. While I am certain there are no grounds for further action, I will fully comply with the Sheriff's Office. I have apologized for the human error and reimbursed the city for the expense of the software. I look forward to bringing this inquiry to a speedy conclusion."

A spokesman for the Leon County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation is “progressing” and records are being obtained. No further updates are available at this time.