Legal Troubles
Gurney soon became embroiled in an influence peddling scandal in 1974, which led him not to seek re-election that year. His party instead nominated Jack Eckerd, the drugstore magnate, who was defeated by the Democrat Richard Stone. Gurney was indicted and tried on seven counts of bribery and related offenses. During the first trial, he was found not guilty of five counts, and the jury could not reach a verdict on two counts. Later, he was retried on those two counts and was also found not guilty.
In 1978, Gurney ran again for Congress but was heavily defeated by Bill Nelson, a Democrat elected in 2000 to the U.S. Senate.
Gurney retired to resume the practice of law in Winter Park, where he subsequently died.
Read more about this topic: Edward Gurney
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