George Riley Jr., the executive director of the Republican Party of Florida, was reported missing by his family after they were unable to reach him for four days. It was later discovered that he had been kicked out of a hotel in Kissimmee after causing extensive damage to his room and clearing out the hotel store’s alcohol. Riley, who had a medical condition and was taking medication, had not been in contact with his family since March 29, despite telling them he was traveling for work.
Riley had checked into the Hampton Inn on March 28 and extended his stay the following day, but when he tried to extend it again on April 3, he was refused due to the damage caused to his room from excessive drinking. The hotel staff reported that Riley had purchased a significant amount of alcohol from the hotel store, leading to additional orders to keep up with his frequent purchases. He was ultimately charged extra for the cleaning of the room, and did not challenge the charges.
After investigating the situation and interviewing hotel staff, sheriff deputies located Riley at another hotel in Lake Buena Vista, where he was found to be under the influence of alcohol but in good health. The deputies determined that he was not a danger to himself or others, and he was allowed to leave freely. Riley later apologized for his behavior, attributing it to alcoholism and mental health issues, and expressed his intentions to seek help in order to improve as a father and individual.
Riley has been a part of the Florida GOP since 2008, starting as a field staffer in Tampa. The incident has brought attention to his personal struggles with alcoholism and mental health, prompting him to publicly acknowledge his behavior and take responsibility for the damages caused at the hotel. Despite the incident, Riley expressed a commitment to seeking help and making amends for his actions, emphasizing his desire to be a better father and employee moving forward.
The situation involving George Riley Jr. serves as a reminder of the impact of mental health and substance abuse issues on individuals, even those in prominent positions within political organizations. Riley’s case highlights the importance of addressing such issues openly and seeking help when needed to prevent harmful behaviors and consequences. Moving forward, Riley’s focus on personal improvement and accountability may lead to positive changes in his life and relationships with his family and colleagues within the GOP.
