Drafts of letters threatening legal action against broadcasters airing ads for pro-Amendment 4 have been linked to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ legal team, according to court documents unveiled on Monday. These letters were directed to be issued by the Florida Department of Health’s legal counsel, John Wilson, as indicated in his affidavit.
In his statement, John Wilson, who previously served as the general counsel for the health department, disclosed that he was instructed by officials from the governor’s office to attach his signature to letters dated October 3. These letters were aimed at television stations broadcasting ads from Floridians Protecting Freedom, the group advocating for the abortion-rights amendment.
The governor’s general counsel, Ryan Newman, further directed Wilson to persist with the correspondence, prompting Wilson’s resignation on October 10. Although before his resignation, Wilson was instructed by Newman to engage two law firms to litigate against broadcasters that had received cease-and-desist notices.
According to the affidavit, Wilson stated, “I did not draft the letters or participate in any discussions about the letters prior to October 3, 2024.” He added, “I resigned from my position as General Counsel in lieu of complying with directives from Newman and Doty to send out further correspondence to the media outlets, similar to the October 3, 2024, letters.” Wilson’s affidavit also mentioned Assistant General Counsel Sam Elliot and Deputy General Counsel Jed Doty from the governor’s office.
This revelation emerged as part of a federal lawsuit filed by the amendment’s sponsor against the health department, shedding light on the governor’s alleged use of state resources against Amendment 4. Lawyers for Floridians Protecting Freedom have decided to drop their claims against Wilson following his resignation.
Lauren Brenzel, campaign director for Yes on 4, commented, “This affidavit exposes state interference at the highest level. It’s clear the State is hellbent on keeping Florida’s unpopular, cruel abortion ban in place.” She further criticized the state’s actions as “an anti-democratic tactic to keep Floridians from being able to make their own choice about whether Amendment 4 should become law.” Brenzel described the moves as desperate and unlikely to succeed.
The health department has been temporarily restrained from continuing actions to prevent the airing of political content from the Yes on 4 campaign by U.S. District Judge Mark Walker. More details can be found here.
In a separate event, Gov. DeSantis held a press conference alongside Florida Physicians Against Amendment 4 in Coral Gables on Monday morning. However, a spokesperson for DeSantis has not yet responded to requests for comments.
Originally reported by the Florida Phoenix
