Current:Home > NewsFlorida GOP leader apologizes for trashing hotel room and says he’ll seek help for alcoholism -Profound Wealth Insights
Florida GOP leader apologizes for trashing hotel room and says he’ll seek help for alcoholism
TrendPulse Quantitative Think Tank Center View
Date:2025-04-10 03:07:01
KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) — A leader of the Republican Party of Florida has apologized for being excessively drunk and urinating and vomiting all over his room at a hotel last week, saying he has been dealing with alcoholism and mental health issues.
George Riley, executive director of the state GOP, said Tuesday that he was deeply sorry for his behavior during a stay at a hotel in Kissimmee, near Orlando.
“I have been dealing with alcoholism and mental health issues,” Riley, 43, told the Tampa Bay Times. “I will pay for any damages that were caused. I apologize to the employees for my bad behavior and I will be seeking help soon.”
Riley’s behavior is the latest black eye for the Florida GOP. Earlier this year, the party ousted its chairman, Christian Ziegler, following an investigation into a rape accusation. Police later cleared him.
The party’s current chairman, Evan Power, didn’t immediately respond to a Wednesday text message seeking comment about Riley, whose phone number was blacked out in the investigation report.
Riley’s sister reached out to Osceola County sheriff’s deputies on Friday because she was worried that she hadn’t heard from in a week and knew he was traveling on business to Kissimmee. She and Riley’s father told deputies that Riley suffers from a medical condition, which was redacted in an incident report, and that he needs to take medication.
Deputies went to the hotel where Riley’s sister told them he was staying and spoke to a front desk associate and two managers. They told the deputies that they had refused to extend Riley’s stay in the middle of last week because of his excessive drinking and damage he had caused to his room, including broken electric blinds, according to the incident report obtained through a public records request.
One hotel manager told deputies that Riley had bought so much alcohol from a store in the hotel that the manager had to order more. After being denied an extension of his stay, Riley packed up and left.
Using pings from his cellphone, deputies on Saturday located Riley at another area hotel, where he was under the influence of alcohol, the report said. Deputies examined him and determined that he didn’t pose a risk to himself or anyone else and didn’t meet the criteria to be forcibly committed for evaluation.
veryGood! (6)
Related
- John Galliano out at Maison Margiela, capping year of fashion designer musical chairs
- Supreme Court candidates dodge, and leverage, political rhetoric
- Caitlin Clark Shares Tribute to Boyfriend Connor McCaffery After Being Named WNBA’s Rookie of the Year
- Virginia man charged with defacing monument during Netanyahu protests in DC
- Charges tied to China weigh on GM in Q4, but profit and revenue top expectations
- Kirk Cousins stats today: Falcons QB joins exclusive 500-yard passing game list
- Judge maintains injunction against key part of Alabama absentee ballot law
- Why Sean Diddy Combs Sex Trafficking Case Was Reassigned to a New Judge
- At site of suspected mass killings, Syrians recall horrors, hope for answers
- Indiana coach Curt Cignetti guaranteed $3.5 million with Hoosiers reaching bowl-eligibility
Ranking
- The FBI should have done more to collect intelligence before the Capitol riot, watchdog finds
- FEMA has faced criticism and praise during Helene. Here’s what it does — and doesn’t do
- Michigan offense finds life with QB change, crumbles late in 27-17 loss at Washington
- Opinion: KhaDarel Hodge is perfect hero for Falcons in another odds-defying finish
- The company planning a successor to Concorde makes its first supersonic test
- Allan Lichtman shares his 2024 presidential election prediction | The Excerpt
- City of Boise's video of 'scariest costume ever,' a fatberg, delights the internet
- 'Dream come true:' New Yorker flies over 18 hours just to see Moo Deng in Thailand
Recommendation
Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
Washington fans storms the field after getting revenge against No. 10 Michigan
Ben Affleck Steps Out With New Look Amid Divorce From Jennifer Lopez
Arizona voters will decide on establishing open primaries in elections
Elon Musk's skyrocketing net worth: He's the first person with over $400 billion
A $1 billion Mega Millions jackpot remains unclaimed. It's not the first time.
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Spring Forward
'It was just a rug': Police conclude search after Columbus woman's backyard discovery goes viral