As we kick off a new week, let’s take a moment to catch up on some of the blog posts that developed over the weekend. From political drama involving a former state representative to questionable financial reporting by a high-profile charity and text messages revealing deeper connections in a controversial settlement distribution, these stories deserve your attention.
Rudman Skips Senate Hearing, Avoids Confrontation
Former Florida State Rep. Joel Rudman (R-Navarre) will not appear before the Senate Committee on Ethics and Elections for his appointment to the Pensacola State College Board of Trustees. According to Senate Don Gaetz (R-Crestview), who chairs the committee, Rudman claimed he would be “out of the country” during the scheduled hearing.
This comes after Rudman made headlines for threatening to expose alleged wrongdoing by House Republicans during an X Spaces event, where he claimed to “know where the bodies are buried.” Gaetz had arranged for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to attend the hearing to receive any evidence of criminal activity Rudman might present.
- Last week, the Senate Higher Education Appropriations Committee unanimously voted down Rudman’s appointment. Despite this setback, Governor DeSantis can reappoint Rudman after the current legislative session ends, allowing him to serve for another year until the Senate reconvenes in 2026.
Read more.
Governor’s Cup Lost Money Despite “Massive” Fundraising Claims
Newly released tax documents reveal that Governor Ron DeSantis’ charity golf tournament, the Governor’s Cup, actually lost money despite his public claims about raising “massive amounts of money” for the Hope Florida initiative championed by First Lady Casey DeSantis.
According to the Hope Florida Foundation’s first Form 990 tax return covering August 2023 to June 2024, the tournament reported:
- $425,000 in gross receipts
- $402,706 in expenses
- $40,000 in facility costs
- Resulting in a net loss of $17,706
More concerning is the discrepancy between First Lady Casey DeSantis’s public announcements of distributing over $300,000 during the Foundation’s first year and tax documents showing only $40,000 in grants distributed. Multiple organizations receiving ceremonial checks in public events appear to be missing from the official tax filings.
Read more.
Text Messages Contradict Attorney’s Claims About Settlement Distribution
Text messages have emerged contradicting statements made by Hope Florida Foundation attorney Jeff Aaron regarding his involvement in the distribution of a $10 million settlement.
- When questioned about his role in these transactions, Aaron had claimed: “I had nothing to do with the Centene (settlement), and I had nothing to do with the downstream flow.”
- However, newly revealed text messages between Aaron and Amy Ronshausen, executive director of Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF) and Save Our Society from Drugs (SOS), show Aaron was actively involved in facilitating a $5 million grant to SOS.
The text exchange shows Aaron provided his email address for grant submission, requested wire instructions, and monitored the transfer completion. Following this transfer, SOS sent $4.75 million in three separate disbursements to Keep Florida Clean, a political action committee that campaigned against Amendment 3, which would have legalized recreational marijuana in Florida. Keep Florida Clean was controlled by James Uthmeier, DeSantis’ then-chief of staff who now serves as Florida Attorney General.
- These revelations raise serious questions about transparency and the potential use of settlement funds for political purposes.
Read more.
Save UWF Changes Plans
We also received this email announcing that they canceled the chartered bus to Tallahassee for the confirmation hearings on the remaining UWF Trustees:
The Florida Senate Ethics & Elections Committee will meet this Tuesday, April 22 at 8:30 AM ET in Room 110 Room 37 of the Senate Office Building in Tallahassee. They’ll be considering the Governor’s controversial appointments to the UWF Board of Trustees—including Adam Kissel, a nominee who has publicly supported the privatization of public universities and criticized the GI Bill.
We’ve already made progress: Scott Yenor and Gates Garcia have resigned under public pressure. But Kissel remains, and this hearing is the moment to speak out—by showing up.
We had originally planned a bus, but once the early hearing time was confirmed, some riders couldn’t commit—and we had to cancel. We’re now encouraging supporters to travel to Tallahassee on their own, either early Tuesday morning or by staying overnight Monday.
You don’t have to speak. You just have to be in the room.
When you arrive, you’ll sign in—putting your name on public record and helping show the Senate that Pensacola cares deeply about UWF.
Senator Gaetz, who chairs the committee, has asked for a strong showing. Let’s deliver.
UPDATE – 9 am, Monday, April 21
HEARING DETAILS
Date: Tuesday, April 22
Time: 8:30 AM ET
Room: 37 (Mallory Horne Committee Room)
Building: Senate Office Building
Address: 404 South Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399
MAP & DIRECTIONS – PLEASE REVIEW BEFORE TUESDAY
We’ve put together a one-page guide to help you find your way. Whether you’re driving in early Tuesday or heading up the night before, this will help you avoid wandering the halls like a lost intern.
View, download, or print the map here:
Capitol Map and Visitor Info (PDF)
What’s inside:
- The Senate Office Building entrance
- The Duval Street drop-off zone
- The Kleman Plaza Parking Garage
- The location of Room 37 (Lower Level)
With gratitude,
The Save UWF Team