Rep. Democratic of Florida Charlie Crist
Charles (Charlie) Joseph Christ: Florida Democrats sunk in split, debt before 2022 Lawmakers bet on BBQ, candy and crab claws before Super Bowl Christ leaves the door open to challenge DeSantis for Florida governor MORE sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Monty Wilkinson on Sunday asking the Department of Justice (DOJ) to open an investigation into the Florida governor Ron DeSantis
Ron DeSantis: Governors in hot water for his response to the coronavirus Trump will speak at the CPAC in his first public appearance since he left the DeSantis White House to lower Florida flags in honor of Limbaugh MORE (R) for allegations that the governor was selecting vaccine administration sites to benefit political supporters.
“I am writing with concern about reports that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is setting up coronavirus vaccine distribution and administration sites to select sites to benefit political allies and donors, about the needs of higher-risk communities and existing waiting lists in counties, ”Christ wrote.
“In several cases, these sites appear to be targeted at wealthy communities with whom Governor DeSantis has clear political connections, allowing some to jump to the front of the line in counties with existing waiting lists,” the representative continued.
Christ noted a surprise announcement DeSantis made on Feb. 17 that 3,000 doses of the coronavirus vaccine would be available to the wealthy Lakewood Ranch community in Manatee County. The Lakewood Ranch parent company is owned by a major Republican donor who has donated $ 900,000 to DeSantis, Christ said, and also noted that the area had the lowest COVID-19 infection rates in the county.
Why is Governor DeSantis playing politics with vaccine distribution? Its allies and political donors should not jump the line. A full DOJ investigation is requested. pic.twitter.com/OTjpkdD1o4
– Congressman Charlie Crist (@RepCharlieCrist) February 21, 2021
Christ is himself a former Florida governor and earlier this month did not rule out challenging DeSantis in 2022.
Many lawmakers and commentators have denounced the apparent unfair distribution of coronavirus vaccines, and it appears that richer areas appear to have priority over disadvantaged communities.
DeSantis has rejected criticism of his own vaccine distribution plan, getting more reactions after him threatened to divert vaccines away from communities that have criticized it.
“If there are people who will complain about getting more vaccines, you know, I’ll tell you what, I mean, I wouldn’t complain, I’d appreciate it if we could do it because, you know what, we didn’t have to do it at all,” said DeSantis last week.
The Florida governor has been accused of being too lax in enforcing the coronavirus guidelines. A Sun investigation report found that the DeSantis office had asked Florida health officials to do so. avoid talking about the pandemic before the election.
“Defeating the COVID-19 pandemic must be our top priority. Given the enormous latitude that rulers have over vaccine distribution, it would be unacceptable for political corruption to outweigh both justice and better medical guidance,” he said. write Christ. “They are literally decisions of death or life. While I am anxious for every Floridian, in every community, to get the vaccine as soon as possible, it should not be based on equity, not on political connection.”
The Hill has contacted the DeSantis office for a response.
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Florida has confirmed more than 1.8 million cases of coronavirus and nearly 30,000 deaths.