George Riley, Jr., an executive director of the Florida Republican party, was reported missing last week. Police records show that he drunkenly urinated and vomited in a hotel room while he was missing.
In an April 5 Facebook post, the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office said that Riley, 43, had been found safe. He has been last seen driving a black Ford Expedition with a Florida license plate number JISF96 on April 3, said his missing persons notice.
According to the Florida GOP website, Chairman Evan Power announced Riley’s appointment as executive director in March. In the announcement, Riley was described as a “longtime Republican Party of Florida staffer.”
“George Riley began his career as a field staffer in Tampa with the Republican Party of Florida in 2008. Since 2008, he has served under seven chairmen and has served in nearly every political position at the Party,” it continued. “He has been a regional field manager, the Director of Party Development, and was Political Director for the 2014 cycle. From 2016-19, he served as Executive Director through two successful cycles for Republicans.
Since 2020, he served as Executive Director for Conservatives for Clean Energy-Florida and as a Senior Advisor to the Party. Riley resides in Tallahassee with his two daughters and is a graduate of Gettysburg College.”
Power called Riley a “tremendous asset” to the party. The Tampa Bay Times said that there has been “turbulence” for the leadership of the state’s Republican Party lately. Chairperson Christian Ziegler was ousted after he had been accused of sexually assaulting a woman with whom he and his wife had previously engaged in a threesome, the outlet explained.
Riley’s family told authorities April 2 that they had not heard from him for a period of four days and that he was traveling to Kissimmee, Fla., for a business meeting.
According to an Osceola County sheriff’s report cited by The Tampa Bay Times, Riley had checked into a room at the Kissimmee Hampton Inn on March 28. There, employees found that he had “urinated and vomited throughout,” his room and broke the electric blinds. He was charged extra for a deep cleaning of the room.
Additionally, the assistant general manager noted that Riley purchased so much alcohol from the store inside the hotel that the manager had to order more. Due to the issues related to Riley’s drinking, the hotel did now allow him to extend his stay on April 3. Authorities later found him at the B Resort and Spa in Lake Buena Vista.
A follow-up report said that RIley was found in good health but was under the influence of alcohol. They decided he did not meet the criteria for intervention “under the Baker Act or the Marchman Act, which allows for police intervention when individuals are deemed to be a threat to others or to themselves because of a mental health or addiction issue,” per the Tampa Bay Times.
Riley’s sister, who had told authorities her brother had a medical condition and was on medication, confirmed that he had been reunited with family members as of Sunday.
“I’m deeply sorry. I have been dealing with alcoholism and mental health issues,” Riley said in an interview with 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.”
He also called back minutes later to add that he is seeking help so he can be “a better father, a better person and a better all-around employee.”
A 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) found that 29.5 million Americans ages 12 and older (10.5% in the age group) struggled with Alcohol Use Disorder. Those struggling with alcoholism or other addiction issues can get help through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration hotline at 1-800-662-4357.