Tallahassee Republican Yinka Adeshina added her name to the list of competitors in the gubernatorial primary this week, but with her filing came bizarre campaign contribution reports where many donors apparently lived in empty fields, Publix stores, Western Unions and even a Best Buy.
Adeshinas campaign contribution reports initially showed promise -- she had apparently raised $182,000, despite being virtually unheard of, which is even more money than former state Sen. Nan Rich has on hand. Newly-qualified Republican candidate Elizabeth Cuevas-Neunder didn't even post as much in her finance reports -- she only collected $17,000 in contributions, $10,000 of which was in loans from herself.
Under Florida law, any candidate who posts over $150,000 in contributions from Floridians can ask for public financing, which Adeshina has already done. The state will match $250 for each contributor, which means Adeshina could walk away with $100,000.
But that scenario looks unlikely after the pharmacists reports began raising eyebrows and made waves via Twitter on Wednesday. Several statewide political reporters played a political scavenger hunt to find out exactly where Adeshinas donors were listed -- and how many of those addresses were actually legitimate.
Quick Google searches yielded puzzling results -- donors spanned far and wide, from Pensacola to South Florida. Some donors lived at the same addresses but in entirely different cities. Over 30 of Adeshinas donors were listed at the same 4100 Wicham Street address, but in both Melbourne and Fort Lauderdale.
As it turns out, there is no 4100 Wicham Street in Fort Lauderdale. The Melbourne address ended up being the approximate location of a UPS dropbox in a Publix shopping plaza -- a particularly odd place for a slew of donors to live.
The fake addresses don't seem to be coincidental. Over half of the donors listed dont have real residences, and those who do seem to be cozying up all too close for comfort.
Around 20 of Adeshinas donors are apparently shacking up in a small, 2,000-square-foot townhome in Tallahassee. Several other donors listed at the candidates home address have strange names, like Gloria Gloria. Other curious names included DBaby Goodluck and Baba Ali.
The Herald-Tribune analyzed the slew of donors and discovered at least three of them arent even alive, which makes their ability to contribute cash to Adeshinas campaign beyond doubtable.
With a listed net worth of $8,000, its unclear who -- if anyone -- actually contributed to Adeshinas campaign.
Beyond her campaign finance reports, Adeshinas Web presence straddles the line between incomprehensible and bizarre.
Imagine a new world with no pain and anguish, reads her website. Strong, yet tender. Friends, live long, but enemies die young.
Her Twitter account shows tweets where she appears confident shell win the primary election.
Yinka for Governor 2014, here in Florida, reads one tweet. Just came out of a conference. Went well. Expect win this primaries. You bet.
Win Campaign now, reads another.
Adeshina seems to have higher political ambitions -- she filed on Christmas Eve of last year to run as a Republican for president in 2016. She filed to run for the position twice before -- in 2011 and in 2010 as a Democrat.
Adeshina posted this comment on a CNN story about Al-Shababb:
screen always. I'm unhappy with this unrest. Africa must stay a barest of its political storm. You know, a nation cannot stand without strength. Africa is visible world wide, ensures a voice in global stability and must stabilize soon. A rich for the United States at this time is impossible. But all the embassies are aware of her current stance. I think, a return to the books is necessary. How we as a people stayed strong, relearned and perhaps we can move into the future carefully, slowly. My extreme knowledge for that ready for change and I expect to be there and available for discussions and any enquiries. The drones were put together in the turn of the new millennium, 1999 going into 2000. These drones could be dangerous, so stop its use. People see and feel human compassion immediately. This is better for today's conflict. Thank you. I hope all take heed immediately.
According to Florida law, any campaign treasurer, candidate, or political committee chair who willfully certifies the correctness of any campaign report while knowing that such report is incorrect, false, or incomplete commits a misdemeanor of the first degree.
Sunshine State News attempted to reach out to Adeshina via the phone number listed on her website, but it turns out its not a working number. SSN then emailed Adeshina, who said shed rather email instead of speaking on the phone.
When asked directly about the potential issues with her campaign contributions, Adeshina had not responded to SSNs email at the time of this storys release.
Reach Tampa-based reporter Allison Nielsen at Allison@sunshinestatenews.com or follow her on Twitter at @AllisonNielsen.
