Politics

New report puts Ben Sasse’s spending scandal at UF under the microscope

Published

6 hours ago

February 4, 2025

In the wake of the University of Florida President Ben Sasse’s financial scandal, UF needs stronger protocols in place for awarding consultant contracts, hiring employees and spending money on food and drinks for school events, according to some of the findings in a new Florida Auditor General’s preliminary audit report.

The Florida Auditor General’s office detailed how Sasse’s office spent millions of dollars on consultants, employees who worked remotely from out of state and lavish parties.

The final audit report is expected to be completed in the next several weeks, auditor manager Jaime Hoelscher said.

UF spokesman Steve Orlando said the school had no comment Tuesday.

Sasse resigned last year from his post because of his wife’s health.

Weeks later, he was under fire and facing accusations of wasting school funds based on reporting from the Independent Florida Alligator college newspaper, which broke the story.

Sasse’s office spent $14.8 million in the 2023-24 school year — a 72% spike from the previous year, the preliminary audit report said.

Sasse’s office spent $6.4 million on a consultant firm, but the audit report said, “University records did not demonstrate the benefit the University received for the consultant services.”

The president’s office spent $563,825 on catering for eight events. The preliminary audit said the prices were not competitive.

“As such, the reasonableness of the costs was not always apparent,” the report said describing a two-hour holiday buffet for 594 people that cost $169,755; a one-hour-holiday lighting party with hot chocolate, cider, peppermint chocolates, and cookies that cost $62,650 for 2,000 guests; and Sasse’s tailgating party for 478 people with a $46,449 tag.

Meanwhile, Sasse’ office hired 24 people from Feb. 6, 2023 to June 30, 2024.

“The contracted annual salaries ranged from $75,000 to $687,000 and averaged $249,931. Our examination of University records and discussions with University personnel disclosed that University employment practices could be improved,” the preliminary audit report said, noting 14 of those positions didn’t have job descriptions.

Many of the positions were paid above market value and the university did not conduct a competitive recruitment hiring process either.

“According to University personnel, the President and 1 other member of University management exercised discretion in establishing the salaries for the 19 individuals,” the preliminary audit report said. “However, although we requested, University records were not provided to identify the basis for those salaries.”

The audit raised other concerns about compensation.

One employee was given a $115,000 relocation bonus and then quit eight months later, while a second employee was paid a $129,000 bonus and then resigned within18 months.

“Given the brief employment periods of the two employees, we asked University personnel whether repayment of those amounts was requested and were informed that University contracts for these employees were not structured to require repayment,” the preliminary audit report said.

The president’s office also paid $100,000 for an employee’s house purchase.

“To qualify for loan forgiveness, the employee must remain employed full-time at the University during the 5-year period. Considering this employee also received an $80,000 recruitment bonus and $25,000 for relocation assistance paid from another University Department, the reasonableness of the $100,000 payment was unclear,” the preliminary audit report said.

And not everyone working for Sasse actually lived in Gainesville, or even Florida.

Thirteen UF employees worked remotely while living in California, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., the report said.

And the preliminary audit report took aim at Sasse’s own pay.

After he resigned, he kept his $1 million annual base salary as president emeritus through February 2028.

“In response to our inquiry in December 2024, University personnel indicated that he did not teach a class in the Fall 2024 but was preparing materials for a course that he and another employee would co-teach in Spring 2025. University personnel further informed us that he was also working closely with the Chair in his role as an external advisor, which included responsibilities such as fundraising, speeches, and recruitment,” the report said. “Absent records to support the basis for the Advisor salary at the same rate of his prior compensation as a University President, the public purpose of such a salary is not readily apparent.”

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Politics

Preserving Florida — an agricultural triumph

Published

58 minutes ago

February 4, 2025

May Greene

For decades, Florida has been home to world-class Thoroughbreds, breeders, and trainers, with champions emerging from local training centers to claim prestigious victories at Florida racing venues and on the national stage. Our industry embodies Florida’s agricultural roots and competitive spirit while generating $3.24 billion for our state’s economy, one-quarter of Florida’s $12.8 billion equine industry.

The dedication of family farms, the commitment to world-class training, and the deep stewardship of owners have shaped an industry so deeply synonymous with our state that Florida is home to the Horse Capital of the World®. Yet new legislation threatens to undermine the very foundation and, more importantly, the future of this historic industry. Florida cannot afford this risk.

House Bill 105 would strip Florida’s Thoroughbred racing permitholders of their obligation to offer live races, which would allow them to operate solely as gaming facilities. The proposed legislation is a direct assault on Florida’s Thoroughbred industry, an industry for which I am so grateful that has made dreams like mine possible. The bond between horse and trainer, the expertise passed down through generations, and the economic engine that supports communities and thousands of Florida families all hang in the balance.

My journey in horse racing was unconventional. Without inheriting a family tradition in the sport, I built my career from the ground up, driven by passion, perseverance, and a deep respect for the horses and the sport. Captivated from my first ride at age three, I began retraining retired Thoroughbreds as a teenager, unknowingly setting the stage for my future. With the support of valued mentors, I trained my first horse to victory at Tampa Bay Downs in 2010, and later made history in 2023 as the first woman to train a Triple Crown race winner when Arcangelo triumphed in the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes. His subsequent victory in the Grade 1 Travers Stakes made me just the second female trainer to win the race in its 154-year history.

These victories, and the environment that made them possible for me, spoke to Florida’s excellence in all aspects of horse racing — from nurturing a championship bloodline to helping horses uncover their full potential. Many of the world’s finest Thoroughbreds are bred, raised, nurtured, and trained here in Florida, with up to three-quarters of all U.S. juvenile racehorses beginning their journey in Marion County.

As one of Florida’s highest-value races, Gulfstream Park’s Florida Derby serves as a crucial stepping-stone on the road to the legendary Kentucky Derby, showcasing the quality of our homegrown talent and serving as a destination for out-of-state hopefuls. Yet if HB 105 passes, we risk losing these premier opportunities to states that continue to support their racing industries. Without the requirement to hold live races, Florida could lose the jobs, tourism, and irreplaceable pieces of our state’s culture that come with Florida’s storied race tracks.

This industry is about so much more than race day. It’s about the thousands of early mornings on farms where foals take their first steps, the tireless dedication of trainers and their teams who prioritize the safety and well-being of their horses, hundreds of thousands of greenspace acres, and the deep-rooted pride of communities that rally behind their local champions. It’s about the small businesses, veterinarians, feed suppliers, and farmworkers who make up the ecosystem that supports these beautiful animals. It’s about the therapeutic programs that connect retired racehorses with veterans and children, demonstrating the profound impact horses have beyond the track.

Decoupling live racing from gaming threatens a beloved sport and an entire way of life. When we distance ourselves from live racing, we further distance ourselves from the agricultural roots that have made Florida a powerhouse. The damage, both economic and cultural, would be irreversible.

HB 105 will dismantle Florida’s Thoroughbred industry. As someone who has dedicated my life to these animals and this industry, I urge lawmakers to recognize what’s at stake.

___

Jena Antonucci, a Florida native, is a Thoroughbred horse trainer based in Ocala. She made history as the first woman to train a winner of an American Triple Crown race, with Arcangelo’s victory in the 2023 Grade 1 Belmont Stakes.

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Politics

Christmas was booming for Orlando’s tourism; TDT hits a record

Published

1 hour ago

February 4, 2025

May Greene

How busy was Christmas in Orlando?

Orange County’s hotel tax generated nearly $31.8 million in revenue, making it the highest December on record, Comptroller Phil Diamond said Tuesday.

The $31.8 million revenue was about 6% higher than December 2023’s collection, Diamond said in a press release.

The hotel tax, known as the tourism development tax or TDT, is a 6% surcharge on hotel rooms and short-term stays in Orange County.

“Orlando ended 2024 with strong travel performance in December,” said Visit Orlando CEO Casandra Matej in a statement. “Hotel occupancy grew 4% from December 2023, settling at 73.2%— the third highest monthly occupancy for the year after February and March. The Average Daily Rate (ADR) for hotels was $209.93, up 2.2% increase from last year ($205.45). A robust holiday season boosted performance, with room night demand increasing 7.4% during the Christmas-New Years period.”

The holidays are typically a busy time at the theme parks. Universal Orlando’s theme park attendance rebounded in the fourth quarter of last year after a slow summer, Comcast disclosed earlier this week. The Walt Disney Co. is scheduled to release its earnings Wednesday morning.

Other major events took place in Orlando at the Orange County Convention Center in December, including the AKC National Championship, the Pop Warner Cheer Championships and a technology conference organized by National Training & Simulation Association.

Meanwhile, Visit Orlando is predicting a busy 2025.

“Hotel bookings for January to April 2025 are pacing 1.3% ahead of last year, with short-term rental bookings also up 5% during the same period,” Matej said.

Returning to the Orange County Convention Center are the Surf Expo and PGA Show as well as first-time events including Vision Expo East 2025 and Annual Gasparilla Classic 2025.

The biggest theme park opening is a brand new theme park, Epic Universe, which officially debuts May 22. The park built in the shadow of the convention center features popular intellectual property including Harry Potter, Universal Monsters and more.

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Politics

Orlando is celebrating 150th anniversary throughout the year

Published

2 hours ago

February 4, 2025

May Greene

Happy 150th birthday, Orlando!

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer announced a yearlong celebration Tuesday to honor the City Beautiful’s upcoming July 31 anniversary. The party plans include public art, a new history exhibit and free admission into two popular downtown area attractions.

Starting in April, the Orange County Regional History Center will feature a special Orlando exhibit.

“The exhibit will showcase 150 unique items donated by local individuals and organizations, offering a window into the city’s rich history,” the city said in a press release.

Also expect art displays around the city.

“Later this summer, the Changing Face of Orlando: A Sesquicentennial Celebration public art exhibition will feature a striking visual comparison of historical photographs paired with their modern-day counterparts, illustrating the city’s remarkable transformation over the past 150 years,” the city said.

The 150th anniversary celebration grand finale will be a citywide service event. The city will also offer free admission to Leu Gardens, the botanical museum owned by the city, and the Mennello Museum of American Art.

The city is launching a website for residents to learn more or share their own thoughts.

“The City of Orlando invites all residents, businesses, and organizations to join in the celebration,” the press release said. “Opportunities to participate include hosting events, offering special anniversary promotions, sharing personal Orlando stories on social media, and contributing historical anecdotes and photos to the city’s digital history board.”

Today, Orlando is famous for its theme parks but has also hosted major sporting events, including the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials, and developed a reputation as a great foodie town. Thousands also come to check out the community’s theater scene.

“From its humble beginnings as a small frontier town in 1875, Orlando has grown into a vibrant and diverse community,” the city said in the press release. “With over 300,000 residents calling Orlando home, our community offers something for everyone.”

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