Recently, top attorneys representing Gov. Ron DeSantis were involved in a controversial incident where cease-and-desist letters were sent by Florida's health department to local TV stations. The letters threatened criminal prosecution over the airing of an abortion rights ad, as revealed by John Wilson, the former general counsel for Florida's Department of Health.
In an affidavit filed, Wilson disclosed that he was provided with pre-written letters by Sam Elliot, a top attorney for the DeSantis administration, on October 3. He further stated that he was directed by Ryan Newman and Jed Doty, both general counsels for the DeSantis administration, to send the letters under his own name.
Following the airing of an ad by Floridians Protecting Freedom promoting a ballot measure to overturn the state's six-week abortion ban, the cease-and-desist letters were sent, leading to public outrage. Wilson resigned from his position the next week, citing his refusal to comply with further directives from Newman and Doty.
Subsequently, Floridians Protecting Freedom filed a lawsuit against Wilson and Joseph Ladapo, the state's surgeon general, accusing them of engaging in unconstitutional coercion and viewpoint discrimination. A federal judge granted a temporary restraining order against Ladapo, acknowledging that the department's actions constituted viewpoint discrimination.
As of now, representatives for Gov. DeSantis and the Florida Department of Health have not provided any comments on the matter.
