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DeSantis' top staffers focus of ethics, elections complaints

Six complaints were filed to the Ethics Commission and the Elections Commission, alleging staffers misused their roles for donations and endorsements.

TAMPA, Fla. — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis addressed ethics and elections violations complaints filed against his top staffers. 

The complaints, filed by Democratic chairwoman Nikki Fried, allege his chief of staff and other employees misused their position to get donations and endorsements for DeSantis' presidential campaign.

10 Tampa Bay obtained those complaints. Three were made to the Florida Ethics Commission, and three to the Florida Elections Commission. 

The staffers facing these accusations are Chief of Staff James Uthmeier, Director of Legislative & Intergovernmental Affairs Stephanie Kopelousos and Director of Policy & Budget Chris Spencer.

The complaints claim the three violated the Florida Little Hatch Act. The act states no public officer, an employee of an agency, or local government attorney shall corruptly use or attempt to use his or her official position or any property or resource which may be within his or her trust, or perform his or her official duties, to secure a special privilege, benefit, or exemption for himself, herself, or others. 

At an unrelated press conference in Ybor City on Thursday, DeSantis addressed the complaints. 

"And so they've called friends ask for support donations, all this other stuff, they have every right to do that," he said during the press conference. "They don't use state resources to do it."

The Hatch Act also prohibits employees from participating in campaign activities while on duty. 

"I think it's big, I think it's a very positive thing," DeSantis said. "I'm confident it was 100 percent. Totally compliant with anything. And I think it's just a great testament, that people understand, we need to change some things in this country."

The allegations in the complaints are based on reporting from NBC News and the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. 

Jeffrey Swartz, a former judge and lawyer explained why these complaints should be investigated. 

"A phone call asking them for a contribution is basically saying if you don't give us a check? Well, your bill might not make it to the floor in the next session," Swartz said. "You might not get the governor's support."

Swartz said in ethics complaints like this, it's unlikely action against the governor will be taken. 

"The Ethics Commission has really no teeth," Swartz said. 

If probable cause is found, a hearing will be held, then the commission will make a recommendation of action to be taken. 

The Ethics Commission does not have the authority to enforce that recommendation. 

A spokesperson for the Ethics Commission said she cannot confirm nor deny the existence of the complaints until the commission takes action on them. 

She could not say whether these complaints even exist – but explained any complaints are first reviewed for legal sufficiency – if that's found, it's then assigned to an investigator. 

Malique Rankin is a general assignment reporter with 10 Tampa Bay. You can email her story ideas at mrankin@10tampabay.com and follow her Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages.

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