Today (May 24), prosecutors announced the outcome of a FDLE investigation into the 2020 No Party Affiliation (NPA) candidate for the Florida Senate in District 9 (SD9) and the filing of twelve (12) criminal violations against three (3) defendants.

The investigation leading to these charges began after a July 2021 letter from State Attorney Archer to then FDLE Commissioner Rick Swearingen, requested the action. The letter cited Archer’s concerns that a complaint filed with the Florida Elections Commission had met with significant delays, and the repeated release of information from the investigation and prosecution in the 11^th Circuit threatened to impair any pending or subsequent inquiry into suspected crimes committed in the SD9 campaign.

In a statement State Attorney Archer expressed his appreciation for the thorough and professional investigation submitted by the FDLE which culminated in the arrests of the 3 individuals.

Archer added, “Some NPA candidates, commonly referred to as “ghost” candidates, have been used by political parties as a way to close elections or siphon off votes.  While not illegal per se, many have questioned the ethics of the practice.  However, when that candidate and the partisan political operatives involved violate election finance laws by illegally funding those races and filing false reports, it is the responsibility of government to act. Today’s actions represent our commitment to ensuring the integrity of Florida’s election process and holding those who violate state campaign laws accountable.”

Attorneys for the named defendants have agreed to surrender voluntarily to answer these charges, however specific details are not available at this time. 

Defendants to be charged in this action:

Jestine Iannotti                      NPA Candidate         Florida Senate District 9

COUNT 1: COMMISSION OF A FALSE, FICTITIOUS OR FRAUDULENT ACT, STATEMENT OR REPRESENTATION IN A MATTER WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA, DEPARTMENT OF STATE (F3) 817.155

COUNT 2: ACCEPTING AN AGGREGATE CASH CONTRIBUTION IN EXCESS OF $50 FROM THE SAME CONTRIBUTOR IN AN ELECTION (M1) 106.09(1)(b), (2)(a)

COUNT 3 PERJURY NOT IN OFFICIAL PROCEEDING (M1) 837.012(1)

COUNT 4: PERJURY NOT IN OFFICIAL PROCEEDING (M1) 837.012(1)

COUNT 5: FALSE REPORTING OR DELIBERATE FAILURE TO INCLUDE INFORMATION REQUIRED BY CHAPTER 106, FLORIDA STATE STATUTES (M1) 106.19

COUNT 6: ACCEPTING ONE CONTRIBUTION THROUGH OR IN THE NAME OF ANOTHER IN ANY ELECTION (M1) 106.08(5)(a), (7)(a)

James Foglesong                   Political Operative

COUNT 1: MAKING TWO OR MORE CONTRIBUTIONS THROUGH OR IN THE NAME OF ANOTHER IN ANY ELECTION (F3) 106.08(5)(a), (7)(b)

COUNT 2: COMMISSION OF A FALSE, FICTITIOUS OR FRAUDULENT ACT, STATEMENT OR REPRESENTATION IN A MATTER WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA, DEPARTMENT OF STATE (F3) 817.155

COUNT 3: UNLAWFUL USE OF A TWO-WAY COMMUNICATION DEVICE (F3) 934.215

COUNT 4: MAKING AN AGGREGATE CASH CONTRIBUTION IN EXCESS OF $50 TO THE SAME CANDIDATE IN AN ELECTION (M1) 106.09(1)(a), (2)(a)

COUNT 5: FALSE REPORTING OR DELIBERATE FAILURE TO INCLUDE INFORMATION REQUIRED BY CHAPTER 106, FLORIDA STATE STATUTES (M1) 106.19

Benjamin Paris                      Political Operative

COUNT 1: MAKING ONE CONTRIBUTION THROUGH OR IN THE NAME OF ANOTHER IN ANY ELECTION (M1) 106.08(5)(a), (7)(a)