DeSantis’ office rebukes ethics complaints over alleged 2024 funds solicitation

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FLV) – Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Nikki Fried filed three ethics complaints against Gov. Ron DeSantis’s executive staff with both the Florida Commission on Ethics and the Elections Commission.

Fried filed complaints against DeSantis Chief of Staff James Uthmeier, Legislative Affairs Director Stephanie Kopelousos, and Director of Policy and Budget Chris Spencer.

The filed complaints allege that DeSantis and officials from the Executive Office of the Governor engaged in unethical and potentially illegal activities by soliciting campaign contributions from lobbyists.

It also accuses these same officials of unethically and illegally seeking endorsements for the governor’s presidential campaign during discussions with lawmakers regarding the state budget.

Press secretary for the governor’s office Jeremy Redfern said DeSantis’ team is “adding this to the list of politically motivated attacks.”

“We know the great work he’s accomplished as governor,” Redfern said. “If the executive team wants to fundraise, knock doors, or volunteer their free time, more power to them – they have First Amendment rights like every American.”

Fried’s complaints are not the first instance where DeSantis has been hit with allegations of unethical conduct related to his presidential campaign.

In late April, the ethics commission dismissed two complaints against DeSantis in his capacity as governor and one complaint against his committee.

Fried had filed a complaint against the governor in March alleging 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.

A former President Donald Trump-supporting super PAC, “Make America Great Again, Inc.,” also filed a complaint in March for running a “shadow presidential campaign.”

The complaint alleged that there is “strong evidence” of DeSantis breaking various campaign-related laws, arguing that some of the activities that have helped the governor’s “ascension to the national stage” being funded by “a vast network of political committees” and other groups are evidence of illegal activity.

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

The newest complaints come as the governor is set to campaign in South Carolina on Thursday and New Hampshire next week.