- A pro-Trump super PAC requested an ethics investigation into Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, accusing him of waging a “shadow presidential campaign”.
- DeSantis is widely expected to mount a 2024 presidential bid and is seen as former President Donald Trump’s biggest competition in the Republican primary.
- The super PAC argued that if the commission finds that DeSantis violated Florida laws, he should be “allowed the most severe penalties”—including disqualifying him from the ballot.
The pro-Trump super PAC said Wednesday it is filing ethics complaint Against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, accusing him of waging a “shadow presidential campaign” in violation of state ethics and election laws.
Make America Great Again Inc. The 15-page draft letter asks the Florida Commission on Ethics to investigate DeSantis, who is widely expected to make a 2024 presidential bid. He is being seen as the biggest rival of former President Donald Trump in the Republican primary.
If the commission finds that DeSantis violated Florida laws, it should impose “the most severe penalties permitted”—including disqualifying him from the ballot, the letter argued.
“Governor DeSantis knows, or should have known, that his shadow presidential campaign is illegal under federal election law, Florida ethics laws prohibit illegal gifts from political committees, and Florida ethics laws prohibit illegal lobbying payments,” Said this.
the letter was reported by nbc news First Wednesday.
the complaint was fresh Growth of the former president’s attacks on his potential rival. While Trump’s other GOP rivals have either launched or hinted at presidential bids, DeSantis has garnered the most support among Trump alternatives in early primary polls.
DeSantis’ office fired off a salvo of Trump aides.
“This has been added to the list of frivolous and politically motivated attacks,” communications director Taryn Fenske said in a statement to CNBC. “It is unfair to use the state’s ethics complaints for partisan purposes,” he said.
The Florida Ethics Commission did not provide comment on the letter.
Broadside comes as DeSantis has written a new political memoir and embarked on a multistate tour to promote it, one of several clear signs the two governors are preparing a run for national office.
The letter from MAGA Inc. states that the “personally lucrative book tour” as DeSantis and his affiliated political committees and associates improperly accepted millions of dollars in gifts that were “clearly intended” to benefit the governor. ostensibly to effect his eventual resignation and campaign for president. ,
DeSantis’ book currently tops the New York Times Best Sellers list for hardcover nonfiction.
DeSantis is expected to hold off on announcing his presidential plans until after the Florida Legislature ends its current session in May.
But the letter argues that DeSantis is already a de facto presidential candidate, and that his reluctance to make it official is “not a mere oversight.” Rather, it is “a coordinated effort specifically designed for him to accept in the form of unethical gifts, illegal campaign contributions and certain personal benefits, which would necessarily constitute resignation from office under Florida’s resignation law.” intended to influence their official decision to award,” the super PAC alleged.
He Law Executives are required to resign from their current position in order to run for another position if the two terms will overlap.
five out of nine members Members of the Florida Ethics Commission were appointed by DeSantis, including Chairman Glanton Gilzean, to whom the letter is addressed.
Credit: www.cnbc.com /