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Latin Times
Latin Times
National
Taylor Odisho

'Alligator Alcatraz' Funded by Taxpayer Money Intended for Florida's Hurricane Response, Disaster Preparedness: Report

Ron DeSantis Hurricane Florida Alligator Alcatraz Ice TPM
Florida’s newest migrant detention center is estimated to have cost up to $66 million, with state funds originally set aside for disaster preparedness redirected to cover the expense. (Credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

A new report revealed that funds allocated for Florida's disaster preparedness and hurricane response were instead used to build the state's newest migrant detention center, dubbed "Alligator Alcatraz".

After reviewing more than a dozen contracts and invoices, TPM found that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis awarded nearly $20 million in no-bid contracts to seven private companies. These included $11.9 million to Meridian Rapid Defense Group for anti-vehicle barriers, a $5.9 million invoice from Lemoine CDR Logistics LLC, and $499,869.90 to Baker's Electronics & Communications for an emergency radio system, which was funded entirely by money diverted from the state's disaster preparedness program.

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