Bloomberg's Florida Fiasco: Legal Or Illegal?

In 2020, Florida's Republican attorney general, Ashley Moody, requested that the FBI and state authorities investigate Michael Bloomberg, the former Democratic mayor of New York City, for possible election law violations. Bloomberg had raised over $16 million to help restore voting rights to felons in Florida by paying off their debts. This move was criticised by Florida's Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, who alleged that Bloomberg and the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition (FRRC) had violated laws on election incentives. However, progressives argued that Florida Republicans were using this as a ploy to suppress the voices of those trying to regain their right to vote.

Bloomberg raises $16 million to help Florida felons vote

In 2020, Mike Bloomberg raised over $16 million to help Florida felons vote in the upcoming election. The billionaire former mayor of New York City and candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination teamed up with the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition (FRRC), a non-partisan group dedicated to ending disenfranchisement and discrimination against people with former convictions.

Bloomberg's fundraising helped pay off the court fees and fines for more than 32,000 Black and Hispanic former felons, allowing them to vote in the upcoming election. The FRRC had raised about $5 million before Bloomberg made calls to raise almost $17 million more, according to Bloomberg advisors.

Bloomberg's initiative was motivated by two reasons, according to a source who spoke to The Washington Post. Firstly, it was the right thing to do for democracy, and secondly, it immediately activated tens of thousands of voters who were predisposed to vote for Joe Biden. In a memo, Bloomberg stated that this was a more cost-effective way to gain votes for Biden instead of trying to persuade those who already had the right to vote.

The FRRC, while remaining bipartisan, clarified that they do not encourage votes to go in any particular direction. Desmond Meade, the group's president, stated, "Different people may give for different reasons, but we are in this for one reason, and that reason is to place people over politics. We are concerned with people from all walks of life, from all sorts of politics."

Florida's Republican attorney general, however, criticised Bloomberg's efforts and called on the FBI and state authorities to investigate possible election law violations. Despite this, Bloomberg's initiative successfully helped restore the voting rights of thousands of Florida felons, making a significant impact on the crucial swing state.

Florida attorney general calls for FBI investigation

Florida's attorney general has called on the FBI to investigate former New York City mayor and billionaire Michael Bloomberg over funds he raised to help restore felons' voting rights. The move comes after Florida governor Ron DeSantis won a court victory to keep felons from voting until they have paid off fines, restitution, and court fees. Bloomberg has raised more than $16 million to help felons in the state pay off their debts and secure their voting rights.

In a written statement, Florida's attorney general, Ashley Moody, said:

> "I have instructed the Statewide Prosecutor to work with law enforcement and any Statewide Grand Jury that the Governor may call."

Moody also sent letters to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the FBI, calling for an investigation into whether Bloomberg and the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition (FRRC) violated laws on election incentives with their donations.

The FRRC had raised about $5 million before Bloomberg made calls to bring in almost $17 million more, according to his advisers. Other donors include John Legend, LeBron James, Michael Jordan, MTV, Comedy Central, VH1, Ben & Jerry’s, Levi Strauss, the Miami Dolphins, the Orlando Magic, the Miami Heat, and Steven Spielberg.

The funds raised by Bloomberg are targeted at felons who registered to vote while the law was in question and who owe $1,500 or less, accounting for about 31,100 people. Florida is a crucial swing state, with 29 electoral college votes, and the donations could have a significant impact on the outcome of the election.

In response to the calls for an investigation, Nikki Fried, Florida's only statewide elected Democrat and a member of the Cabinet, said:

> "Florida Republicans will stop at nothing to prevent people from voting, and this is another ploy to suppress the voices of those trying to regain their right to vote."

Bloomberg's pledge to help felons sparks criticism

Billionaire and former Democratic presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg has faced criticism and calls for an FBI investigation over his pledge to raise funds to help Florida felons vote in the 2020 election. The controversy stems from a Florida court ruling that felons must pay off fines, restitution, and court fees before regaining their voting rights. Bloomberg's response was to help them pay off these debts, raising over $16 million for this purpose.

Florida's Republican Attorney General, Ashely Moody, has instructed state law enforcement and the FBI to investigate whether Bloomberg and his donations violated election incentive laws. Moody's call for an investigation comes after Florida's Republican Governor, Ron DeSantis, won a court victory to uphold the ruling that felons must pay off their debts before voting.

The funds raised by Bloomberg targeted felons who registered to vote while the law was in question and who owed $1,500 or less, accounting for about 31,100 people. Bloomberg's efforts are part of a broader push to help Joe Biden win Florida, a crucial swing state in the election.

Progressives and Democrats have criticised the Florida ruling as an attempt to suppress the votes of those trying to regain their rights. They argue that Republicans in the state have backed this ruling to prevent people from voting. However, Republicans have defended their position, stating that rights wouldn't be restored until all fines, court fees, and restitution were paid.

The controversy highlights the ongoing debate over voting rights for felons in the United States, particularly in key battleground states like Florida. While Bloomberg's pledge aims to restore voting rights to felons who have completed their sentences, it has also sparked criticism and legal scrutiny.

Florida governor Ron DeSantis keeps felons from voting

Florida governor Ron DeSantis has been accused of keeping felons from voting. In 2018, Florida passed Amendment 4, which allowed most felons who had served their sentences to vote. However, the following year, DeSantis passed additional legislation requiring those who were now eligible to vote to pay off legal fees and fines. This has been likened to a modern-day poll tax and a quid pro quo that disproportionately affects Black and brown voters.

The law caused confusion, with some people unsure if they were eligible to vote. In 2020, billionaire and former Democratic presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg stepped in to help felons pay off their debts and secure their voting rights. He raised over $16 million, targeted at felons who registered to vote while the law was in question and who owed $1,500 or less.

However, DeSantis's controversial election police unit arrested 20 people for allegedly voting illegally in the 2020 election, including some who appeared to be surprised that they had done anything wrong. Police bodycam footage showed that some of those arrested believed they could legally cast ballots as they had registered to vote and received voter registration cards. DeSantis said these people had been convicted of murder or a felony sexual offense and were therefore not eligible to vote under the 2018 constitutional amendment.

The arrests caused concern that they could have a chilling effect on other felons who are eligible to vote but are unsure if they are allowed, leading them to sit out the voting. Florida's Republican-held Legislature has argued that rights wouldn't be restored until all fines, court fees, and restitution were paid. This has been criticized as a move to suppress the voices of those trying to regain their right to vote.

Florida Rights Restoration Coalition raises $5 million

In 2020, the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition (FRRC) raised about $5 million to help Florida felons restore their voting rights. This came after Florida's Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, won a court victory to keep felons from voting until they had paid off fines, restitution, and court fees. The FRRC's efforts were aimed at making it easier for felons to pay off these debts and regain their right to vote.

The FRRC is committed to ending the disenfranchisement and discrimination against people with convictions. They provide resources to help individuals with past convictions navigate the process of registering to vote and work to remove financial barriers that may prevent them from regaining their voting rights.

The FRRC's work gained additional support from billionaire and former Democratic presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg, who raised more than $16 million to assist in this cause. Bloomberg's involvement sparked controversy, with Florida's Republican attorney general calling for FBI and state investigations into possible election law violations.

Despite this, the FRRC continued their efforts, and with Bloomberg's help, they were able to raise additional funds to support felons in paying off their debts. The group's other donors include notable figures and organizations such as John Legend, LeBron James, Michael Jordan, MTV, Comedy Central, Ben & Jerry's, Levi Strauss, and Steven Spielberg.

The funds raised by the FRRC and Bloomberg were targeted towards felons who had registered to vote while the law was in question and owed $1,500 or less. This accounted for about 31,100 people, according to Bloomberg advisers. The FRRC's work is significant in a state like Florida, which has been a crucial battleground state in presidential elections, with its 29 electoral college votes playing a pivotal role.

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