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The Villages
Friday, June 9, 2023

Top Democrat files ethics complaint against Gov. DeSantis

Nikki Fried spoke to The Villages Democratic Club at Colony Cottage Recreation Center
Nikki Fried visited The Villages in 2021.

Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried has filed an ethics complaint with the Florida Commission on Ethics against Gov. Ron DeSantis alleging he violated state ethics laws by accepting prohibited gifts from his political committee, Friends of Ron DeSantis.

“This is yet another example of Ron DeSantis arrogantly thinking he is above the law. No one is above the law,” said FDP Chair Nikki Fried. While Floridians face some of the highest property insurance and mortgage rates in the state’s history, DeSantis is hobnobbing with special interest donors and lining his pockets with freebies. Floridians deserve answers, and DeSantis needs to be held accountable.”

Gov. Ron DeSantis holds a copy of his book 22The Courage to Be Free22 at Tuesdays event at the Brownwood Hotel Spa
Gov. Ron DeSantis holds a copy of his book ‘The Courage to Be Free’ at an event in February at the Brownwood Hotel & Spa.

She said the complaint provides evidence that DeSantis violated Florida law by receiving monetary gifts from his political committee on multiple occasions between January and February of this year. According to media reports, DeSantis’ top donors and supporters gathered at the Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach for a three-day retreat, paid for by Friends of Ron DeSantis, as part of an effort to increase his national profile in advance of an anticipated run for the Republican nomination as president of the United States in 2024. 

The full ethics complaint and supporting documents can be found here.

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