Trump v. DeSantis and More 501(c)(4) Follies

Ron DeSantis and Donald J. Trump. Anybody know  what’s often said about seniority amongst lieutenants? “Seniority amongst lieutenants is like virtue amongst these two guys.”

Doggonnit, I might just go buy me a nice big red MAGA hat.  Maybe DJT had the best interests of “the blacks” at heart all along.  Because yesterday, DJT called Ron DeSantis “hamhanded” and then threw a 16 page ethics complaint at him.  The enemy of my enemy is my friend, for now at least.  And I ain’t too proud to beg.  The complaint asserts that DeSantis is using 501(c)(4) organizations, PACs, and other unnamed nonprofits to line his pockets and stoke his presidential aspirations.

Here is the opening paragraph and a few snippets:

This letter provides ample evidence to support a finding of probable cause 1by the Florida Commission on Ethics (the “Commission”) that Governor DeSantis, in concert with certain associated political committees, political consultants, and a 501(c)(4) organization, has solicited and received millions of dollars’ worth of illegal gifts in violation of Florida State ethics laws and the Florida Constitution. Absent immediate action by the Commission, Governor DeSantis will continue violating the law by accepting additional gifts that are clearly intended by self-interested organizations to influence his official judgment to submit an irrevocable resignation letter as required by Section 99.012(4)(a) of the Florida Statutes. Certain activities related to Governor DeSantis’s ascension to the national stage, insofar as they are funded by a vast network of political committees, non-profit organizations, and prominent political operatives, are unlawful because they serve his personal political objectives, 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.

. . . 

B.  Gifts from Issue-Advocacy Organizations.

A 501(c)(4) organization, formed on January 30, 2023, named And to the Republic (a) has hosted three events featuring Governor DeSantis in New York, Philadelphia, and Chicago, (b) reportedly intends to host future events featuring Governor DeSantis that will no doubt involve the solicitation even more contributions in furtherance of his presidential run, and (c) has paid for Facebook advertisements in Iowa and Nevada to promote Governor DeSantis’s upcoming travel to these states.

Governor DeSantis’s book tour and concurrent speaking engagements, whether sponsored by a 501(c)(4) organization, political committees, or other non-profit organizations, each undoubtedly include gifts solicited by him or his agents, directly, indirectly, or implicitly his official actions, or provided to him, directly or indirectly, by individuals seeking to influence his official actions.   

We really gotta have a reckoning with these social welfare organizations one of these days.

darryll jones