Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
Editorials & Other Articles
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
Anonymous donor backing fight to remove Florida abortion amendment from ballot
Tampa Bay Times(Archived)
TALLAHASSEE — The legal effort to force Florida’s abortion amendment off the ballot is being bankrolled by an unnamed donor.
The lawsuits, filed last week by a group of anti-abortion advocates, argue that a report from Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration alleging “widespread” fraud in the petition gathering process for Amendment 4 should therefore disqualify any votes for the effort.
Former Florida Supreme Court Justice Alan Lawson is representing the four Florida women suing. In the lawsuits, he argues that the sponsors behind Amendment 4 failed to secure the required number of signatures to make the ballot when the reported fraud is considered.
The lawsuit is being funded by an “angel financier,” Lawson told the Times/Herald. He declined to disclose the donor’s name or provide other information about them.
When someone other than the client is paying the attorney’s fees, the legal team is required to meet several conditions under Florida Bar ethical conduct rules, Lawson said. That includes ensuring that the donor does not “direct the attorney’s actions or influence the legal strategy in any way that is contrary to the client’s wishes or interests.”
The lawsuits, filed last week by a group of anti-abortion advocates, argue that a report from Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration alleging “widespread” fraud in the petition gathering process for Amendment 4 should therefore disqualify any votes for the effort.
Former Florida Supreme Court Justice Alan Lawson is representing the four Florida women suing. In the lawsuits, he argues that the sponsors behind Amendment 4 failed to secure the required number of signatures to make the ballot when the reported fraud is considered.
The lawsuit is being funded by an “angel financier,” Lawson told the Times/Herald. He declined to disclose the donor’s name or provide other information about them.
When someone other than the client is paying the attorney’s fees, the legal team is required to meet several conditions under Florida Bar ethical conduct rules, Lawson said. That includes ensuring that the donor does not “direct the attorney’s actions or influence the legal strategy in any way that is contrary to the client’s wishes or interests.”