Florida's top three Republicans are asking for an outside investigation into billionaire Mike Bloomberg's fundraising efforts to help pay off the debts of thousands of the state's felons, opening the door for them to cast a ballot in November.
What You Need To Know
- Mike Bloomberg has raised $16M for Florida felon voting-rights group
- Florida is a critical swing state with thin victory margins in big elections
- State's governor, AG, CFO say Bloomberg is illegally trying to interfere in election
- RELATED: Michael Bloomberg Raises $16M for Florida Felon Voting Rights Group
Gov. Ron DeSantis, Attorney General Ashley Moody, and state CFO Jimmy Patronis claim Bloomberg's efforts are an illegal attempt to influence the outcome of an election.
Bloomberg, a former Democratic presidential candidate, has raised more than $16 million for the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, a spokesperson confirmed to Spectrum News.
Moody on Wednesday sent a letter to the FBI and Florida Department of Law Enforcement, asking for an investigation, while Patronis urged the Florida Elections Commission to investigate.
"Bloomberg is using his money and power to tilt the upcoming election in November," Patronis said in a statement. "If he wants to make a political donation — there’s a process but hiding behind voting rights groups appears to circumvent Florida law."
Several years ago, the FRRC, led by Orlando advocate and former felon Desmond Meade, pushed for Florida's Amendment 4, which restored voting rights for most nonviolent felons who have completed their sentences.
Florida voters overwhelmingly passed the amendment in 2018. But in drafting the law, the state's Republican-controlled Legislature defined completion of a sentence as paying off all fines, fees, and restitution.
A legal battle ensued between DeSantis and a group of felons. Meanwhile, as this played out in the courts, thousands of felons registered to vote — more than 31,000 felons who owed just $1,500 or less registered, according to Bloomberg representatives.
Florida has been a critical swing state with razor-thin vote margins in presidential elections, representing 29 electoral college votes to the winner.
Meade completed his sentence for several felony charges and recently voted for the first time in 30 years. But he's been battling to get his full civil rights restored — he eventually earned a law degree but can't practice in Florida because of his convictions.
A state clemency board on Wednesday declined to act on his petition for a full pardon.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.