Ethics complaints against DeSantis dismissed

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FLV) – The Florida Commission on Ethics has dismissed several complaints against Gov. Ron DeSantis and his political committee, Friends of Ron DeSantis.

According to a meeting press release from April 26, the commission dismissed two complaints against DeSantis in his capacity as governor and one complaint against his committee.

They were dismissed because of a lack of “legal sufficiency.”

The press release does not say who filed each complaint.

However, DeSantis recently faced complaints from both sides of the political aisle.

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

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

“It’s inappropriate to use state ethics complaints for partisan purposes,” they said.

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.

“[They] are in furtherance of his personal financial gain at the expense of Florida taxpayers, and are intended to influence his official decision to resign from office. It is no secret that Governor DeSantis aspires to national prominence,” it said.

The complaint said that DeSantis’ “failure to declare” an official 2024 candidacy is a “coordinated effort” so that he may accept “illegal campaign contributions and certain personal benefits” meant to influence any decision to resign from office to become president.

Nikki Fried, the chairwoman of the Florida Democratic Party, also filed a complaint against the governor in March.

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.”