| | | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | Hello and welcome to Friday. Getting closer? — The saga of Rep. Matt Gaetz may be heading into a new phase. Change of plea — Gaetz has repeatedly denied all allegations against him, but the decision by his one-time "wingman" — former Seminole County tax collector Joel Greenberg — to plead guilty to federal charges next week in Orlando indicates that Gaetz may be facing increasing legal peril, according to POLITICO reporters chronicling the ongoing investigation. Trying to figure it out — Gaetz is under investigation for allegedly having sex with a 17-year-old girl in 2017. Some key details put together by POLITICO include that federal investigators have interviewed more than a dozen people as part of the probe. And that two friends of an ex-girlfriend of Gaetz, who is not the 17-year-old, said that she is in talks to be a witness but that she wants an immunity deal for possible obstruction. POLITICO has also been told that the alleged sex-trafficking victim was "100 percent" talking to prosecutors about Gaetz, but her level of cooperation or the information she gave is not clear. Putting it together? — Legal experts told POLITICO that if the alleged victim, the ex-girlfriend and Greenberg all cooperate against Gaetz, the chances of him being charged with sex trafficking a minor could rise substantially. Response — Harlan Hill, a spokesperson for Gaetz, pointed out in a statement that Greenberg has a history of fabricating allegations. "The first indictment of Joel Greenberg alleges that he falsely accused another man of sex with a minor for his own gain. That man was apparently innocent. So is Congressman Gaetz." — WHERE'S RON? — Nothing official announced for Gov. DeSantis. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: gfineout@politico.com |  | Gaetz-gate | |
MAJOR DEVELOPMENT — "Feds tighten grip in Gaetz probe," by POLITICO's Marc Caputo, Josh Gerstein and Matt Dixon: Federal investigators are intensifying their sex-crimes probe of Rep. Matt Gaetz as they discuss a potential immunity arrangement with his former girlfriend and have struck a tentative deal with his one-time "wingman" who will likely plead guilty, according to multiple people familiar with the situation. The U.S. Department of Justice's Public Integrity Section also continues to interview potential witnesses who could provide prosecutors with evidence against Gaetz. One witness told POLITICO that prosecutors spent two hours asking questions about whether Gaetz (R-Fla.) or others in his circle had sex with a 17-year-old girl in 2017.
| 
DORAL, FLORIDA - APRIL 09: Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fl) speaks during the "Save America Summit" at the Trump National Doral golf resort on April 09, 2021 in Doral, Florida. Mr. Gaetz addressed the summit hosted by Women for America First as the Justice Department is investigating the Congressman for allegations of sex with a minor and child sex trafficking. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) | Joe Raedle/Getty Images | | | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | CUT THE DECK, DEAL THE CARDS — In four days, state lawmakers are scheduled to return to Tallahassee for a special session dedicated to approving a sweeping gambling deal that would open the door for sports betting in the nation's third-largest state. The bills — as many as eight! — that lawmakers will consider next week are supposed to be released sometime this morning. The legislation will cover the deal between the state and the Seminole Tribe of Florida — but there are also bills expected to delve into everything from bingo to fantasy sports and creating a new gaming commission. Behind-the-scenes — Meanwhile, there's been a frenzied amount of lobbying and public relations efforts to sell the deal — or yes, try to kill it by those who will lose out once it is approved. The Seminole Tribe of Florida is also taking to the airwaves. The tribe has put out two television ads statewide in an effort to bolster support including a new one that contends the new sports betting deal does not violate Amendment 3, the constitutional amendment that gave voters control over casino gambling. KNOW WHEN TO HOLD 'EM — "No sure bets as Florida lawmakers consider DeSantis' gaming compact in special session," by Miami Herald's Ana Ceballos: "Gov. Ron DeSantis, a nationally ascendant Republican, is close to nailing down a long-sought gaming deal with the Seminole Tribe of Florida that would expand gaming in tribal facilities and usher online sports betting into the state for the first time. The gaming compact — if ratified by the state Legislature next week and later approved by federal regulators — would make Florida the largest state in the nation to legalize sports betting, and the Tribe would be the exclusive operator of the digital sports books in Florida for the next 30 years. The Tribe would also be allowed to build three more casinos on tribal property in coming years." CLOSING TIME? — "With 'decoupling' bill, horse racing, jai alai face uncertain future in special legislative session," by USA Today Network-Florida's Jeffrey Schweers: "But harness racing representatives say decoupling will spell the death knell for their industry — at least in Florida. "If this casino is allowed to decouple, the entire industry would have nowhere to go in the state," Lauren Jackson, a lobbyist for the Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association, told senators at a hearing in April. The breeders were negotiating a path forward, but the timing of this legislation has threatened those talks and upset the balance of power in those negotiations, she said. Harness racing has a huge fan base in Florida, Jackson said, the purse has continued to grow, and recently broke record for its single night handle." — "Gaming compact: Lawmakers brace for high-stakes session with $2.5 billion on line," by Florida Phoenix's Laura Cassels UH-OH — "Conflict of interest questions raised in FSU search," by News Service of Florida's Ryan Dailey: "A key higher-education accrediting organization is raising questions about a potential conflict of interest involving state Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran as he seeks to become president of Florida State University. Corcoran is a member of the state university system's Board of Governors, which ultimately will have to approve the candidate selected by FSU's Board of Trustees to succeed retiring President John Thrasher." LAST TO OPEN — " State government open for business? Gradually," by News Service of Florida's Christine Sexton : "Gov. Ron DeSantis has touted for months that Florida's "open for business," but it's just now that state government is reopening offices, buildings and museums that interact directly with taxpayers. And the opening has seemingly come in fits and starts. Some agencies said their employees returned to work months ago after offices were initially closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But the state Capitol opened last week — and it wasn't until the middle of this week that state-run museums reopened their doors to the public." Answers hard to get — "Reopenings have come after an April 29 public-health advisory by Department of Health Secretary Scott Rivkees recommending that government offices resume in-person operations and services. The DeSantis administration won't answer questions about which state employees have returned to their offices and how many continue working from home." — " Florida governor signs bill to make alcohol to go permanent," by Associated Press — "More than 100 Florida elected officials sign letter opposing trans youth sports ban," by WMNF's Daniel Figueroa IV — " Motorola Solutions urges Gov. DeSantis to veto no-bid SLERS contract," by Florida Politics' Drew Wilson
| | | | SUBSCRIBE TO WEST WING PLAYBOOK: Add West Wing Playbook to keep up with the power players, latest policy developments and intriguing whispers percolating inside the West Wing and across the highest levels of the Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today. | | | | |
| | CORONAVIRUS UPDATES | |
The daily rundown — Between Wednesday and Thursday, the number of Florida coronavirus cases increased by 4,064 (nearly 0.2 percent) to 2,282,613; active hospitalizations decreased by 23 (nearly 1 percent) to 2,687; deaths of Florida residents rose by 47 to 35,929; 9,436,587 Floridians have received at least one dose of a vaccine.
'ON THE BACKS OF WORKING PEOPLE' — "Locked out: Low pay, soaring rents, pro-landlord laws set up Florida renters for eviction once COVID hit," by Orlando Sentinel's Caroline Glenn: "H ousing experts argue Florida has some of the harshest eviction laws in the country, written so landlords can evict people as quickly as possible and without going to court. During the COVID-19 outbreak, those landlord-friendly laws, coupled with the state's severe shortage of affordable homes, rising rents and years of stagnant wages, left thousands of suddenly jobless renters exposed. And even after the government ordered a halt to eviction proceedings and federal dollars were made available to help people pay rent, many tenants were not spared. The toll — "Black Floridians, who were already more likely to lose their job to the pandemic and die from COVID-19, were even more likely to be locked out of their homes. In a mostly Black part of downtown Orlando, for example, renters were about six times as likely to face eviction than in another mostly white part of downtown, according to new data compiled for the Orlando Sentinel by the Shimberg Center for Housing Studies at the University of Florida." BUSINESS FRIENDLY STRATEGY — "DeSantis: Florida will fill void if small cruises leave," by Associated Press' Brendan Farrington: "Calling Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings "not one of the bigger ones," Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Thursday that if smaller cruise lines want to leave the state because of bans on vaccine requirements, their void will be filled. Miami-based Norwegian is the third-largest cruise line in the world and has three ports of departure in Florida — Miami, Port Canaveral and Tampa. It also makes stops in Key West. But it hasn't operated in the U.S. since the federal government shut down all cruises last year because of the coronavirus pandemic." A WAVE OF THE HAND — "Florida Governor says he will pardon those who violated mask mandates," by New York Times' Bryan Pietsch : "Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida said on Wednesday that he would pardon 'any Floridian' who violated mask or social distancing mandates. Mr. DeSantis, a Republican, made the announcement during an appearance on the Fox News program 'Ingraham Angle.' After the show's host, Laura Ingraham, interviewed the owners of a Broward County gym who said they had been arrested for violating a county mask mandate, Mr. DeSantis said their case was "a total overreach." He said he would issue a reprieve to delay the case and that when the state's clemency board meets on June 16, he would issue pardons not only for the business owners, Mike and Jillian Carnevale, but also for 'any Floridian that may have outstanding infractions for things like masks or social distancing.'" RETURN TO NORMAL? — "Disney World is raising capacity, and new mask guidance is 'big news' for a hot Orlando summer, CEO says," by Orlando Sentinel's Gabrielle Russon: "Walt Disney World has lifted its attendance capacity beyond its previous self-imposed 35% limit, although company CEO Bob Chapek didn't disclose by how much, as the theme parks significantly loosen their COVID safety rules. Chapek didn't specify when people could stop wearing masks at the Orlando parks but called the new CDC guidelines — which says fully vaccinated people can go maskless in most places — "big news" for Disney, especially with summer coming. He appeared to be hinting changes could be coming soon." FOCUS ON FLORIDA — NBC Nightly News' Lester Holt will be in Orlando on Monday to kick off a five-day "Across America" series looking at how the country is reemerging after the pandemic. During his Orlando stop Holt will interview local restaurant owners as well as theme park and cruise ship employees. Additionally, NBC Nightly News will look at the affordable housing crisis. — " Low COVID vaccination rates in Broward could be a threat as restrictions disappear," by Sun Sentinel's Cindy Krischer Goodman and Aric Chokey — "Rebekah Jones, the COVID whistleblower who wasn't," by National Review's Charles C.W. Cooke | | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | |
PALM BEACH STORY — "Forty dollar chicken, Ferraris and mesh masks: Two months in Donald Trump's Fauci-free Palm Beach Utopia," by POLITICO's Tara Palmeri: There was Lindsey Graham at the rooftop restaurant at the Ben Hotel. Mike Pompeo spotted with his security detail at The Colony, advertised as "the pinkest boutique hotel in Palm Beach." Matt Gaetz hiding behind a surgical mask at a reggae bar, mainly to disguise himself from fans asking for selfies and sending over shots. Then there was Rudy Giuliani holding court at Café L'Europe, talking about a book he's working on and his low-key visits to Mar-a-lago. At Buccan, there were Trump ambassadors ducking his key-note address at the RNC retreat to have dinner with Democratic lobbyist Tom Quinn, whose son Piper owns the trendy hot-spot.
MANY WERE FROM FLORIDA — "A sprawling investigation: What we know so far about the Capitol riot suspects," by The Washington Post's Devlin Barrett, Abigail Hauslohner, Spencer S. Hsu and Ashlyn Still: " Authorities accuse Joseph Biggs of leading a group of Proud Boys on a march around the Capitol before several members allegedly led some of the earliest and most aggressive efforts to charge police and smash windows and doors. Even though Biggs was unarmed and did not assault anyone, prosecutors say the Florida man played a key role in sparking the violence that unfolded. Prosecutors say Biggs forcibly entered the Capitol twice and reached the Senate chamber where Vice President Mike Pence had been presiding before lawmakers had to flee the mob. Biggs has pleaded not guilty." | | CAMPAIGN MODE | |
A REVIEW — "Polk supervisor says 'worst provisions' of initial bill were omitted from new election law," by The Ledger's Gary White: "Supervisor of Elections Lori Edwards said the changes would have been much more dramatic if initial versions of SB 90 and other proposed bills had passed. 'I think the worst provisions of the original bill have been omitted as the process went on, the legislative process,' said Edwards, a Democrat. 'I don't think it's that's problematic.' The law, sponsored by Sen. Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala, makes three main changes that local voters will notice, Edwards said. Citizens must request mail ballots more frequently and give additional proof of identification, and the elections office must actively monitor ballot drop boxes."
— "Kriseman on congressional run: 'I haven't made any decisions,'" by Fox 13's Dan Matics — "Manny Diaz hits the ground running with reelection fundraiser at Trump Doral," by Florida Politics' Ryan Nicol | | DATELINE D.C. | |
ON MESSAGE — "Sen. Scott pushes to end extended federal unemployment benefits," by Spectrum News' Greg Angel: "U.S. Sen. Rick Scott of Florida is cosponsoring legislation aimed at reducing extended federal unemployment benefits. Congress passed a new round of benefits in early 2021, providing $300 per week in supplemental federal unemployment benefits through September. The Get Americans Back to Work Act proposes cutting benefits to $150 per week on May 31, 2021, before fully repealing the extended benefits program on June 30, 2021."
| | | | SUBSCRIBE TO "THE RECAST" TODAY: Power is shifting in Washington and in communities across the country. More people are demanding a seat at the table, insisting that politics is personal and not all policy is equitable. The Recast is a twice-weekly newsletter that explores the changing power dynamics in Washington and breaks down how race and identity are recasting politics and policy in America. Get fresh insights, scoops and dispatches on this crucial intersection from across the country and hear critical new voices that challenge business as usual. Don't miss out, SUBSCRIBE . Thank you to our sponsor, Intel. | | | | |
| | THE GUNSHINE STATE | |
FALLOUT — "Give the fired Parkland cops their jobs back, judge rules," by Sun Sentinel's Eileen Kelley: "Two fired Broward deputies who failed to act and confront the Parkland school shooter should get their jobs back with back pay, a judge ruled Thursday. Broward Circuit Judge Keathan Frink concluded that arbitrators were correct in ruling that the fired sheriff's deputies, Brian Miller and Joshua Stambaugh, should get their jobs back, with back pay plus other benefits. That includes accrued sick and vacation time, overtime and off-duty detail pay, among other benefits that they would have been paid had they not been fired."
| | ODDS, ENDS, AND FLORIDA MEN | |
— "Times Square shooting suspect says he wasn't even there," by Associated Press: " The man suspected of shooting and wounding three people in New York's Times Square, including a 4-year-old girl, said in a television interview that he did not know anything about it and had been in New Jersey at the time. Farrakhan Muhammad spoke to WCJB-TV at a county jail in Florida, where he was in custody after being arrested Wednesday. 'I left New York a few days ago ... I was in (New) Jersey in a hotel,' Muhammad said. He said he went to Florida to live with his girlfriend's relatives after being evicted."
— " Man arrested after van covered in pro-Nazi, anti-Semitic slogans appears in Miami," by Miami Herald's David Ovalle: "A Miami boat captain and his sister were driving on a street near Coconut Grove on Thursday afternoon when they saw a group of men using markers to scrawl on a van with swastikas and anti-Semitic slurs. Shocked, they turned around to video-record them — and at least six men began raising their arms in the Nazi salute. 'To see actual Nazis gleefully writing on their presumably rented van was just shocking,' Todd Amelung-Wilson said. 'They seemed pretty proud of themselves ... We were really shaken.' The bizarre encounter happened on Southwest 27th Street near 24th Avenue in Miami about 1:30 p.m. Miami police later arrested one of the men during an unrelated traffic stop." BIRTHDAYS: Susie Wiles, Republican strategist and operative …. Craig Fugate, former FEMA director and former state emergency management director …. Todd Reid, state director for Sen. Marco Rubio. | Want to make an impact? POLITICO Florida has a variety of solutions available for partners looking to reach and activate the most influential people in the Sunshine State. Have a petition you want signed? A cause you're promoting? Seeking to increase brand awareness amongst this key audience? Share your message with our influential readers to foster engagement and drive action. Contact Jesse Shapiro to find out how: jshapiro@politico.com | | | | Follow us on Twitter | | | | Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook | Playbook PM | California Playbook | Florida Playbook | Illinois Playbook | Massachusetts Playbook | New Jersey Playbook | New York Playbook | Brussels Playbook | London Playbook View all our political and policy newsletters | | Follow us | | | | |
No comments:
Post a Comment