DeSantis’ office dismisses Fried’s ethics complaint as ‘politically motivated attack’

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FLV) – The communications director for Gov. Ron DeSantis called a state ethics complaint a “politically motivated” attack.

Newly-elected Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried filed a complaint with the Florida Commission on Ethics against DeSantis. She claimed the governor accepted prohibited gifts from his political committee, which included $235,000 from Four Seasons Palm Beach.

However, Taryn Fenske, the governor’s communications director, called it “frivolous.”

The complaint said Florida law prohibits DeSantis or a family member from soliciting or knowingly accepting any gift from a political committee.

“Just like the one from two weeks ago, we’ll just add this to the list of frivolous & politically motivated attacks,” Fenske said.

“Louder for the Dems in the back: It’s inappropriate to use ethics complaints for partisan purposes.”

A couple weeks ago, a former President Donald Trump-supporting PAC filed a complaint with the Florida Commission on Ethics for allegedly violating ethics and election laws via a “shadow presidential campaign.”

At the time, DeSantis’ office also told Florida’s Voice they are “adding this to the list of frivolous and politically motivated attacks.”