Crist calls on DOJ to investigate DeSantis’ coronavirus vaccine distribution

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Democratic Republic of Florida Charlie cristCharles (Charlie) Joseph Crist Florida Democrats mired in division, debt before 2022 Lawmakers bet barbecue, candy and crab claws ahead of Super Bowl Crist leaves door open for DeSantis challenge for Florida governor MORE sent a letter to Acting U.S. Attorney General Monty Wilkinson on Sunday, calling on the Department of Justice (DOJ) to open an investigation into the Florida government. Ron DeSantisRon DeSantis Governors in hot water on their response to coronavirus Trump will speak to CPAC in his first public appearance since leaving the DeSantis White House to lower Florida flags in honor of Limbaugh (R) on allegations the governor was choosing vaccine delivery sites to benefit political supporters.

“I write with concern about reports that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is establishing coronavirus vaccine distribution and administration sites to select locations for the benefit of political allies and citizens. donors, due to the needs of higher-risk communities and existing county waiting lists, ”Crist wrote.

“In several cases, these sites appear to target wealthy communities with which Governor DeSantis has clear political ties, allowing some to come to the fore in counties with existing waiting lists,” the representative continued.

Crist pointed to a surprise announcement made by DeSantis on February 17 that 3,000 doses of the coronavirus vaccine would be available for the wealthy community of Lakewood Ranch in Manatee County. Lakewood Ranch’s parent company is owned by a large Republican donor who gave DeSantis $ 900,000, Crist said, also noting that the region had lower COVID-19 infection rates in the county.

Crist is a former governor of Florida himself and earlier this month he didn’t rule out challenging DeSantis in 2022.

Many lawmakers and commentators have denounced the seemingly inequitable distribution of coronavirus vaccines, with richer areas appearing to take priority over disadvantaged communities.

DeSantis has hit back at criticism of its own vaccine distribution plan, prompting further backlash after it threatened to divert vaccines far from the communities that criticized him.

“If there are people going to complain about having more vaccines, you know, I’m going to tell you what, I mean, I wouldn’t complain, I would be grateful that we could do that because, you know what, we didn’t need to do that at all, ”DeSantis said last week.

The governor of Florida has been accused of being too lax in enforcing the coronavirus guidelines. A Sun investigative report found that DeSantis’s office asked Florida health officials to avoid talking about the pandemic leading up to elections.

“Defeating the COVID-19 pandemic must be our top priority. Given the enormous latitude that governors have over vaccine distribution, it would be unacceptable for political corruption to trump both fairness and better medical guidance, ”Crist wrote. “These are literally life and death decisions. While I can’t wait for every Floridian, in every community, to receive the vaccine as soon as possible, it should be given on the basis of fairness and not 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.



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