Jacob Ogles
Financial disclosures were due last week, but Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried has yet to turn one in for 2020.
Fried’s team said that’s primarily because she wants to make sure every detail is correct.
“Commissioner Fried’s Form 6 is being finalized to ensure accuracy and will be submitted within the September 1 grace period,” said Max Flugrath, a Fried spokesperson.
Indeed, there’s little official consequence for missing the deadline imposed by the Florida Commission on Ethics. While Florida officials holding elected office face a July 1 deadline for submitting the Form 6 disclosures, fines don’t kick in until Sept. 1. At that point, the state begins charging $25 a day, and will only allow $1,500 in fines to stack up.
But there’s reason many are clamoring for Fried’s forms. The Broward Democrat has repeatedly amended forms since she first ran for Agriculture Commissioner, a job she was elected to in 2018.
Shortly before she filed as a candidate for Governor in 2022, Fried filed an amendment to her 2018 disclosure of financial interests to disclose an income from Igniting Florida of $351,480. She also amended 2017 disclosures with the Division of Elections to show she made $165,671 in consulting fees, not just $84,000 as previously disclosed.
Also revealed, Fried was the 100% owner of the consulting company and had a stake in San Felasco Nurseries, a medical cannabis company purchased by Harvest Health & Recreation for $65.7 million in cash and stock in 2018.
The information revealed significantly more income than Fried had revealed when she initially filed her forms.
All that has many waiting to see what her 2020 disclosures reveal, especially as she seeks Florida’s highest state office.
All this may give Fried’s team reason to make sure everything is in order and no headline-making amendments get filed after the fact. But there’s also greater scrutiny than ever and anticipation about what Fried lists among her assets. And there’s reason to question why, with that level of interest, she didn’t have her information sorted out before the end of June.
DeSantis notably turned in his Form 6 disclosures on June 21, where he revealed a 20% increase in net worth.
U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist, Fried’s chief opponent for the Democratic nomination, has not filed disclosures with the state, but he does not hold state office. He faces a deadline at the candidate qualification deadline instead.
Because Fried holds state office, she must file disclosures this year.
16 comments
Arthro
July 7, 2021 at 10:01 pm
Nikki is still trying to figure out how much money she made. Amended her disclosures multiple times. No way we should give this lady oversight over the state’s budget – she can’t even count her own income.
Feds are Sniffing Around
July 8, 2021 at 8:29 am
Delinquent 2020 financial disclosure and monthly legal fees to Perkins Coie are good indicators of a Catch-22 for Nikki.
Ed
July 8, 2021 at 8:53 am
Loud mouth Nikki can’t seem to balance her checkbook. As stated above she has no business having a say in the state’s budget. After her endless personal attacks on our fine Governor I am enjoying watching this implosion. I’m sure DeSantis is laughing as well. Poor Nikki will have to up her marijuana dosage so she can get some sleep.
Domino
July 8, 2021 at 9:25 am
“Commissioner Fried’s Form 6 is being finalized to ensure accuracy…”
What the hell was Fried’s team doing the entire month of June besides getting high on the taxpayer’s dime?
Evan Miller
July 8, 2021 at 9:43 am
Nikki Fried couldn’t run an ice cream stand. A typical liberal left wing commie pinko bleeding heart hack.
zhombre
July 8, 2021 at 10:19 am
Writing convincing fiction takes time and care.
Concerned
July 8, 2021 at 10:49 am
This made me laugh!
Charlotte Greenbarg
July 9, 2021 at 7:19 am
Perfect reply!
Just Doesn't Get It
July 8, 2021 at 10:35 am
The perceived lack of understanding on Fried’s part is on par with an NFL team down by 17 running the ball with less than 2 minutes in the 4th qtr.
Tom
July 8, 2021 at 1:34 pm
Please Nikki Fraud is the correct name for this incompetent want a be. As said, not ready for prime time she is. You gotta be kidding, in 5 weeks after announcement it’s been a complete train wreck on her part. Media, simply ask when she will be withdrawing. Legislature really needs to hold hearings. She is really a awful candidate.
Tom
July 8, 2021 at 10:22 pm
How long will Florida media allow this abuse of power and corruption to continue without being addressed. It’s amazing if you have a “D” in front of your name how much you get away with. Really pathetic, where are the fraudsters supporters.
Kevin Chambers
July 9, 2021 at 2:45 pm
Tom, you found out about this in the Florida media – FloridaPolitics. What else do you think they can do to address it?
(If your concern is about the lack of coverage of this on other news outlets, then I apologize and retract my post).
Tom
July 9, 2021 at 6:15 pm
I found out bout it outside Of this newsie butt did read it as well.
She is an embarrassment and her cheap media tactics do not cover up for her awful campaign and service.
Tom
July 11, 2021 at 9:45 am
Nikki Fraud being held accountable today by Brian Burgess, the capitolist. Wonderful expose on the flawed acts and inaction now on reporting Un truthful earnings. The compromise is severe and a continued rabbit hole. What a terrible candidate and embarrassment in financial flaws. Great work, Pulitzer mention for Brian. Where’s Florida POLITICS in all this. Let’s get real. Fraud is not ready for prime time.
Tom
July 12, 2021 at 2:08 pm
Kevin, be sure to read Kevin Burgess expose on Fried’s fraud on lack of disclosure credibility. Capitolist version Sunday. Very well done.
Harold Finch
July 9, 2021 at 6:50 pm
The bitch be crazy!!!!
Comments are closed.