Allies of former U.S President Donald Trump have lodged a complaint with the Florida Commission on Ethics, accusing the state's Republican Governor Ron DeSantis of breaching finance and ethics rules by running a "shadow" campaign for the American presidency.
The super PAC, MAGA Inc.
, which is aligned with Trump, alleges that DeSantis has leveraged his elected office to develop his national profile, enrich himself and his political allies while influencing the electorate.
According to the complaint, DeSantis has already taken fundraising meetings with donors, courted influential Republicans in early-voting states, and toured the country to sell books, thereby operating a shadow presidential campaign.
The complaint calls on the commission to investigate the allegations and suggests punishment, including censure or fines, be imposed on the governor.
Allies of Donald Trump have accused Florida Governor Ron DeSantis of violating finance and ethics rules by running a shadow campaign for the presidency, thereby enriching himself and his political allies while influencing the national electorate.
MAGA Inc.
, a super PAC aligned with Trump, filed a 15-page complaint with the Florida Commission on Ethics, calling for an investigation of DeSantis's actions and accusing him of violating gift laws.
DeSantis' actions, according to the complaint, have already created conflicts of interest that leave the statehouse vacant.
The promotional tour of his recently published biography, courting influential Republicans, meetings with donors and his undeclared presidential bid point towards a 2024 Republican Party nomination contest with Donald Trump himself.
While DeSantis' office called the charges "frivolous and politically motivated," the implications of the charges against DeSantis will only serve to fuel the rumour mill regarding the prospective 2024 Trump campaign.