Gray Rohrer
Former President Donald Trump could receive $5 million from Florida coffers if Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis’ proposal to pay his legal fees over alleged “political discrimination” passes the Legislature.
Patronis previously called for the fund to be set up after Trump was hit with indictments and charges relating to several allegations in various jurisdictions. Now, he’s touting the filing of a pair of bills (SB 1738, SB 1740) that would put the plan into practice.
“We’ve got a Florida Man — Donald Trump — running for President, and he’s facing ongoing legal challenges from Democrats in New York, Washington D.C., and Atlanta,” Patronis said in a released statement.
“The Left is really good at weaponizing the courts, and because President (Joe) Biden is so unpopular, they’re not just trying to beat Trump at the ballot box, they’re trying to throw him behind bars, which is outrageous.”
Sen. Ileana Garcia, a Miami Republican, is sponsoring the measures. She takes issue not only with the prosecutors leveling the charges, but with courts and election officials in Colorado and Maine.
Those states determined Trump was not qualified for the ballot under the 14th Amendment’s prohibition against candidates who “engaged in rebellion” against the country over his incitement of the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol that attempted to overturn the 2020 election that Trump lost. The moves to knock Trump off the ballot, however, are under appeal.
“We’re in the midst of an historic moment where we’re watching an election that’s trying to be stolen by left wing prosecutors, the Biden Administration and even blue states,” Garcia said. “They’re not trying to win at the ballot box; they’re trying to keep President Trump off the ballot by weaponizing the courts.”
Under the bills, up to $5 million from a fund that gives public money to qualified statewide candidates would go to a Florida resident who is “subject to political discrimination to pay for legal fees.” Those funds come from fees paid by candidates for political office. The Department of Financial Services, which Patronis oversees, would have “the sole authority to determine if a person has been subject to political discrimination.”
That money would be replenished by voluntary donations made by residents when they renew their driver’s license. The “Defending Freedom Fighters Trust Fund” would be one of 22 options of nonprofit groups to donate to on the renewal form.
Two weeks into the 2024 Legislative Session, the bills haven’t received a hearing in the Senate and no companion bills have yet been filed in the House.
Trump is facing a civil suit brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James over his alleged inflation of his net worth on official documents to get lower insurance premiums and better loan terms. The case is ongoing.
He also faces a series of charges, including filing false documents, making false statements and conspiracy over his part in attempting to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia. The case was brought in August by Atlanta-area District Attorney Fani Willis. The trial is ongoing.
Special Counsel Jack Smith also brought separate federal conspiracy charges related to Trump’s efforts to overturn the election. A trial is scheduled for March 4 but could be delayed.
Smith also leveled 40 charges against Trump stemming from his possession of classified documents and his alleged attempts to obstruct justice. The scheduled May 20 date for the trial could also be postponed.
Trump was indicted in March 2023 over falsifying business records to cover up his “hush payments” to porn star Stormy Daniels and Playboy model Karen McDougal. A trial is scheduled for March but could be delayed.
Trump will attempt to navigate his legal issues as he continues a GOP Primary campaign where he must face down Nikki Haley, the last serious Republican challenger now that Gov. Ron DeSantis dropped out of the race, before potentially facing President Biden in the General Election.
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Material from The Associated Press was used in this report.
20 comments
Dont Say FLA
January 22, 2024 at 12:02 pm
Well that is blatant AF. You cannot get more blatant than that.
Rhonda’s already killed the Florida G0P. It’s dead and buried.
But here comes Jimmy with a handful of extra nails for the coffin, saying “let’s dig it back up”
Dancing Outlaw
January 22, 2024 at 12:15 pm
What lip stick is it that Jimmy wears? I got to get me some of that lip stick. It’s glossy enough, but not so glossy that everybody know you been slurping a deck.
Jimmy Said What?
January 22, 2024 at 12:20 pm
I could of sworn he said “I won’t be running for re-election.”
At least that’s what I heard him say. I could swear that is what the man said.
Paul
January 22, 2024 at 12:20 pm
Blatant political partisanship with state money. Pure bullshit. Patronis’s office number, if you care to complain, is (850) 413-3100. Be courteous.
ScienceBLVR
January 22, 2024 at 1:00 pm
And while you’re at it,
Sen. Ileana Garcia, a Miami Republican, is sponsoring the measures. Her office number is (850) 487-5036. And Be firm, but polite.
Politically motivated charges
January 22, 2024 at 12:23 pm
The thing about supposed politically motivated charges is that they can’t become guilty verdicts on their own. A jury of peers has to pull that trigger.
JD`
January 22, 2024 at 12:37 pm
How is this not the Enabling Act, law passed by the German Reichstag (Diet) in 1933?
F@ck you JIMMY.
Larry Gillis, Libertarian (Cape Coral)
January 22, 2024 at 12:41 pm
That’s MY money you’re spending, Jimmy. Back off.
My Take
January 22, 2024 at 12:49 pm
Could, say, Bulgaria in 1955 have had bigger stooges in office?
Igary salters
January 22, 2024 at 1:19 pm
THIS IS UNCONSTIUTIONAL AND AGAINST THE LAW TRUMP CLAIM TO A BILLIONAIRE HE NEEDS TO PAY HIS OWN BILLS AND GOP STATE MEMBERS NEED TO BE RECALLED IF THEY PASS AND RON WANT A BE TRUMP SIGNS THIS HE NEED TO BE RECALLED AND VOTED OUT WITH ALL THE CROOKED GOP MEMMBERS
Bill Pollard
January 22, 2024 at 5:05 pm
AMEN!
PeterH
January 22, 2024 at 2:42 pm
From this article:
“We’ve got a Florida Man — Donald Trump — running for President, and he’s facing ongoing legal challenges from Democrats in New York, Washington D.C., and Atlanta,” Patronis said in a released statement.
Will someone please inform Patronis that not a single democrat testified against Trump in ANY of the Grand Jury’s that indicted Trump on 91 criminal counts?!?!?
Additionally, section three of the 14th amendment is quite clear. Republicans can either adhere to “the letter of law” as written in the Constitution or Republicans can request that Congress to change the Constitution. The SCOTUS has no ability or mandate to change or rewrite the Constitution!
Furthermore…… as I suspect….. this money request sounds like yet another Republican grifting scam.
Nora
January 22, 2024 at 4:26 pm
This is absolutely outrageous and so objectionable for so many reasons. I for sure do not want a single penny of my hard earned tax $ going to Dictator Trump for ANY reason much less for his defense. There is no defense for him or any of his actions.
Beth
January 22, 2024 at 4:55 pm
Patronis is one the the most ignorant corrupt pieces of trash that FL has produced. He needs to be placed in a jail cell right next to traitorous sexual predator trump, they are two of a kind.
Ewe
January 22, 2024 at 5:25 pm
What a behind licker if i ever saw a piece of garbage that uses hard earned taxpayer dollars to give to that tantrum driven toddler trump positioning himself for a new position. CFO jimmy Patronis should be kicked out onto the curb and be out of his current job today!!!!!
Phil Morton
January 22, 2024 at 9:16 pm
Jimmy Patronis needs to resign for even suggesting this let alone having an actual bill in the Senate.
James C Parks
January 23, 2024 at 1:39 am
Who is this Jimmy ass. I go by that name. Tell this jerk to start swimming for Russia, Vlad has some work for him when he gets there.
Nancy Jordan
January 23, 2024 at 8:55 am
It’ so comforting to see Floridians standing up to a perversion of Democracy and the Constitution! I was afraid there was not a single sane and honest person left your state.
TEDD DUANE HOUCK
January 24, 2024 at 11:10 am
ARE YOU ACTUALLY SERIOUS??!! PUBLIC DOLLARS FOR A PRIVATE INDIVIDUAL? IF IT’S LEGAL IS SHOUOD NOT BE!
Paul
January 24, 2024 at 11:35 am
Sen. Ileana Garcia has since withdrawn this proposed legislation. Score one for the good guys. Even DeSantis came out against it but that was AFTER all the criticism. Plus, it would’ve helped Trump and we all know how petty and vindictive our great governor is…
Comments are closed.