Treasury Department Is Investigating Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' Use of Relief Funds in Transporting Migrants

A Treasury Department watchdog is investigating if Florida Governor Ron DeSantis used COVID-19 relief funding to pay for migrants' transport to Martha's Vineyard.

In a letter obtained by ABC News, the department's inspector general office said it has audit work "planned" on DeSantis' recent transport of undocumented migrants to Massachusetts, among other places.

The letter was sent in response to Massachusetts congressional members' request that the Treasury should review the Republican governor's compliance with requirements placed on the use of COVID-19 relief funds. The COVID-19 relief funds were created through the CARES Act and the Local Fiscal Recovery Fund under the American Rescue Plan Act.

Richard K. Delmar, Treasury Department's deputy inspector general, said in the letter that they have already sought information from the state of Florida about the appropriate use of the fund. The letter was sent to Senator Edward J. Markey and five Massachusetts Democratic House members.

DeSantis Communications Director Taryn Fenske said the Florida Office of Police and Budget spoke with the Treasury inspector general's office "weeks ago" regarding the use of interest on the COVID-19 relief funds.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' Use of Relief Funds

This year, the Florida legislature allotted $12 million for a state program to transport undocumented migrants to "sanctuary destinations."

The New York Times reported that the program was funded with interest generated from the $8.8 billion in aid that the state had been provided through the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan of 2021.

Taryn Fenske noted that "reviews by Treasury are typical." Despite the Treasury Department inquiry, the Times reported that Florida's use of the relief funds may be allowed Treasury guidelines.

The department's guidance noted that state and local governments can place funds in "interest-bearing accounts," adding that the funds "are not limited to using that interest for eligible uses." Migrants from Texas and Arizona have also been sent to other liberal states such as New York, Chicago, and Washington, D.C.

Migrants in Florida Sent to Martha's Vineyard

A civil right law firm filed a federal class action lawsuit against Ron DeSantis and others last month for sending around 50 immigrants from San Antonio, Texas to Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts without resources in place.

Alianza Americas' Executive Director Oscar Chacón noted that DeSantis used the migrants to launch a "hate-filled agenda." In a statement, Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar said they were probing whether the migrants were victims of crimes.

DeSantis slammed the investigation, saying the probe was an "overreaction," NPR reported. On Sean Hannity's show on Fox News, he said the migrants chose to go to Martha's Vineyard voluntarily.

Taryn Fenske then scrutinized activists and accused them of being "opportunistic" while using undocumented migrants "for political theater."

The migrants flown to Massachusetts were reportedly taken to a military base to receive shelter and humanitarian support. The White House, migrants' advocates, and Democratic officials had denounced DeSantis' move.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

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