Jury deliberations continued Wednesday (May 3) in the public corruption trial of Andrew Gillum, a once rising star in the Democratic Party.

CBS Miami reports that the jury, which began deliberating Friday after hearing two weeks of testimony, signaled a possible mistrial on Tuesday. The jurors told the judge that they reached a verdict on one count of the federal indictment but were at an impasse on at least one other count.

A federal indictment announced in June 2022 accused Gillum, 43, of conspiracy, wire fraud and making false statements to the FBI. Federal prosecutors allege Gillum and co-defendant Sharon Lettman-Hicks, a political associate, illegally used political contributions to pay Gillum.

But Gillum, the former Tallahassee mayor who came within a few percentage points of becoming Florida governor, has denied wrongdoing.

The jury sent a note midday Tuesday to federal District Judge Allen Winsor that said they were “pretty sure they won’t be able to reach agreement to at least one count,” according to CBS Miami.

Defense attorneys for Gillum and Lettman-Hicks asked the judge to declare a mistrial. But Windsor sided with the prosecutor who argued that the jurors should continue discussing the evidence until they reach a verdict.

"It's premature to suggest a mistrial," Winsor said, adding that he would instruct the jury to “take all the time you need.”

The jurors reached a verdict on Gillum's alleged false statements to investigators, CBS News reported, citing information from lawyers associated with the case. But they deadlocked on the wire fraud charge against Gillum and Lettman-Hicks.

In the indictment, the Justice Department alleged that the illegal activities occurred between 2016 and 2019.

“... Defendants Gillum and Lettman-Hicks conspired to commit wire fraud, by unlawfully soliciting and obtaining funds from various entities and individuals through false and fraudulent promises and representations that the funds would be used for a legitimate purpose,” the DOJ said in a statement.

The statement continued: “The Indictment further alleges the defendants used third parties to divert a portion of those funds to a company owned by Lettman-Hicks, who then fraudulently provided the funds, disguised as payroll payments, to Gillum for his personal use.”

If convicted, Gillum and Lettman-Hicks face lengthy prison sentences. Wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud both carry 20-year maximum prison terms. The maximum sentence for making false statements is five years.

Guillum, who pleaded not guilty to the allegations, issued a statement defending himself after the indictment was announced.

“I have spent the last 20 years of my life in public service and continue to fight for the people,” Gillum said. “Every campaign I’ve run has been done with integrity. Make no mistake that this case is not legal, it is political. Throughout my career I have always stood up for the people of Florida and have spoken truth to power.”