The Florida Commission on Ethics paved the way to the White House for Ron DeSantis. The group dismissed accusations that MAGA had filed against the state governor of running a "shadow presidential campaign," demanding his immediate dismissal and disqualification.
23059 Public Report and Order Dismissing Complaint MAGA DeSantis by Israel Duro on Scribd
It does not constitute a "legally sufficient complaint"
In its response, the Commission on Ethics dismissed MAGA's allegations "because they do not constitute a legally sufficient complaint." In addition, the report criticizes the lack of specific allegations in the brief filed by Trump's super PAC.
The Complaint fails to allege in a factual, substantial, and inconclusive manner that [DeSantis] solicited or accepted anything with the knowledge that it would influence an official decision related to his public office. The Complaint details alleged actions by other organizations to benefit [DeSantis'] prospective presidential campaign, but never once specifically alleges that [DeSantis] and these organizations entered into any agreement or understanding or that [DeSantis] conditioned any public action on a donation, contribution, gift, or any other thing of value.
No reason DeSantis can't leave Florida
It also denied any allegations that DeSantis used the publication of his book to personally enrich himself and the publicity tour to conduct covert campaign events paid for by Floridians' tax dollars. In addition, the MAGA document found that DeSantis neglected his duties by promoting his work. The Commission of Ethic's response is clear: "There is no inherent reason why [DeSantis] cannot travel out of state as governor, and the complaint provides no additional information to demonstrate that such travel creates a continuing or frequently recurring conflict between his private interests and the performance of his public duties."
The commission also justified DeSantis taking as many as 15 out-of-state trips with his security detail at a cost to taxpayers of $2.4 million. "It does not appear from the complaint that providing a security service for [DeSantis] on his trips is corrupt. There is a public purpose for providing protective services to the governor and his family, even when he travels," the report states.
Speculative allegations against DeSantis.
The Commission on Ethics dismissed the allegations of illicit enrichment from the publication of the book, saying that neither the $2 million advance the governor is alleged to have received from the publisher, according to MAGA, nor the benefits derived from the publication and travel are "unearned or disproportionate to what other public figures in similar circumstances might receive for the same or similar work." The commission also criticized the fact that, once again, all allegations are "presented speculatively."
