DeSantis Administration Faces Allegations of Intimidating Broadcasters
The legal team of Governor Ron DeSantis is under scrutiny after preparing drafts of letters that threatened criminal charges against broadcasters airing a pro-Amendment 4 advertisement. These drafts were sent to the legal counsel of the Florida Department of Health, as revealed by court documents on Monday.
John Wilson, the former general counsel for the health department, stated in an affidavit that he was instructed by officials from the governor’s office to sign the letters dated October 3. These letters were aimed at television stations airing ads from Floridians Protecting Freedom, the group supporting the abortion-rights amendment.
According to Wilson, Ryan Newman, the governor’s general counsel, directed him to continue sending communications to the broadcasters. This directive led to Wilson’s resignation on October 10. Prior to his departure, Newman also instructed Wilson to formalize contracts with two law firms to initiate litigation against the stations that received the cease-and-desist notices.
“I did not draft the letters or participate in any discussions about the letters prior to October 3, 2024,” Wilson mentioned in his affidavit.
Wilson added, “I resigned from my position as General Counsel in lieu of complying with directives from Newman and Doty to send out further correspondence to the media outlets, similar to the October 3, 2024, letters.”
Wilson’s affidavit also implicates Assistant General Counsel Sam Elliot and Deputy General Counsel Jed Doty from the governor’s office.
This revelation is part of a federal lawsuit filed by Floridians Protecting Freedom against the health department, which sheds light on the alleged misuse of state resources in opposition to Amendment 4.
The legal representatives of Floridians Protecting Freedom have decided to drop claims against Wilson, who was sued personally after his resignation.
“This affidavit exposes state interference at the highest level. It’s clear the State is hellbent on keeping Florida’s unpopular, cruel abortion ban in place,” commented Lauren Brenzel, the Yes on 4 campaign director.
Brenzel further stated, “Their extreme attacks on Amendment 4 are an anti-democratic tactic to keep Floridians from being able to make their own choice about whether Amendment 4 should become law. It’s a distraction, and it’s desperate and it won’t work.”
In response, U.S. District Judge Mark Walker issued a temporary injunction against the health department, preventing further actions to halt the airing of political speech from the Yes on 4 campaign.
Concurrently, Governor DeSantis conducted a press conference with Florida Physicians Against Amendment 4 in Coral Gables on Monday morning.
The DeSantis administration has yet to comment on these developments.
This story was originally published by the Florida Phoenix
—
Read More Kitchen Table News
