DeSantis’ security expenses 'jumped by more than 58 percent' since 2022: report

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' personal security expenses "jumped by more than 58 percent in the past year, an increase that coincides with the governor's re-election campaign and the start of his bid to become president," Politico's Gary Fineout reports.

"The Florida Department of Law Enforcement released an annual report on Tuesday that showed that the amount the state spent protecting the governor grew from $5.94 million in the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2022, to $9.41 million during the budget year that ended June 30 of this year," Fineout writes. "The report tracks spending on staffing as well as transportation costs paid for the security detail over a 12-month period."

Fineout notes that Florida's DLE "is responsible for providing security to the governor, first lady Casey DeSantis and members of the governor's family, as well as security on the grounds of the governor's mansion located about a mile north of the state Capitol in Tallahassee."

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According to Nicholas Nehamas of The New York Times, "DeSantis received an annual salary of $141,400.20 last year. Besides his salary and the book deal, he reported receiving no other income in 2022, according to his state financial disclosure."

But DeSantis' taxpayer-funded paycheck is accompanied by "salary costs for those guarding the governor," which "rose from $2.37 million in 2022 to $5.03 million in 2023," Fineout explains. "The report does not break out the number of those that are part of the governor's detail or whether the increased salary costs were due to overtime expenses."

DeSantis' spokesperson, Jeremy Redfern told Fineout that "by law, FDLE must provide protective services to the governor and the first family." Redfern also touted DeSantis' tenure as a justification.

“His record as the most effective conservative governor in American history has also earned him an elevated threat profile," Redfern said, "and FDLE has increased the number of protective agents to ensure the governor and his family remain safe."

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Fineout's report continues at this link.