Florida Democrats Request More Records After Arrested Giuliani Associates Spotted in VIP Section at DeSantis Inauguration

Following a report highlighting Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman’s VIP attendance at Ron DeSantis’ Inauguration celebration in January, the Florida Democratic Party is expanding its public records request to start on November 7th and include any and all correspondence had between the duo and DeSantis when he was Governor-elect and Governor.

The Tampa Bay Times reported Parnas and Fruman were both “V-V-I-P’s” at the Inauguration, Very Very Important People, and DeSantis has admitted Parnas asked to be on his transition team. The FDP is requesting additional public records to learn more about the nature of DeSantis’ relationship with the men, who have been arrested for attempting to interfere in U.S. Elections.

“Ron DeSantis has refused to answer simple questions about his relationship with these men, starting with how he met them and when,” said FDP Chair Terrie Rizzo. “Floridians deserve answers from our Governor. We trust his office complies with our request in a timely matter.”

Amended Records request below:

The Honorable Ron DeSantis
Governor, State of Florida
The Capitol
400 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001

RE: Request for Public Records

Dear Governor DeSantis:

This request amends my request for copies public records recently forwarded to your office which requested any communications to, from, or between you or your office, and Lev Parnas, Igor Fruman, or Global Energy Producers.

Please consider this request to include public records made or received pursuant to Section 119.035, Florida Statutes, in your capacity as Governor-elect, individually or as part of the transition process, referencing Lev Parnas, Igor Fruman, or Global Energy Producers.

Should you deny this request, or any part thereof, please state in writing the basis for the denial, including the exact statutory citation authorizing the denial as well as the reason or reasons for the conclusion that the record is exempt or confidential.

Please advise me of the costs, if any, associated with the production of the requested public records. Also, please advise when I might expect that this request for public documents will be fulfilled.

In the interim, please feel free to contact me via email at the address listed above, if you have any questions or concerns regarding this request.

Sincerely,

Terrie Rizzo

___________________________________

As used herein, the term “public records” “means all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, films, sound recordings, data processing software, or other material, regardless of the physical form, characteristics, or means of transmission, made or received pursuant to law or ordinance or in connection with the transaction of official business by any agency.” See Section 119.011(12), Florida Statutes.

Section 119.07(1)(e) and (f), Florida Statutes, provide as follows:

(e) If the person who has custody of a public record contends that all or part of the record is exempt from inspection and copying, he or she shall state the basis of the exemption that he or she contends is applicable to the record, including the statutory citation to an exemption created or afforded by statute.

(f) If requested by the person seeking to inspect or copy the record, the custodian of public records shall state in writing and with particularity the reasons for the conclusion that the record is exempt or confidential.