The May 14 front page featured two articles that illustrate Attorney General James Uthmeier’s bullying, poor judgment, and wanton disregard for fiscal prudence in handling taxpayer dollars: “Uthmeier blasts Worrell for ‘lenient’ sentences” and “Alligator Alcatraz to close in June, reports say.” This appointed, not elected attorney general, began his “service” in February 2025, stating his focus would be on immigration enforcement, fighting against federal overreach and legal disputes regarding education policies. His impact has cost Floridians more than a billion dollars.
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To boost his visibility, his first political play was to become the primary proponent of Alligator Alcatraz. He bulldozed public sentiment to build this facility on environmentally sensitive land with sweetheart contracts for political cronies. The total monetary build and operate cost so far is approximately $1.5 billion, but the far larger cost is the damage to human rights perpetrated by this fiasco. Opening July 3, 2025, and now projected to close next month, this boondoggle will have cost the state $4,109,589 per day, with no federal reimbursement to date and no ongoing use for this “facility.” At most the Feds say they will cover some operating costs which are $1.2million per day, a 266% increase over the initial budget of $450,000 a day.
The Hope Florida Fund Diversion had Uthmeier’s fingerprints all over it. $10 million in Medicaid reimbursement was steered to Hope Florida, a nonprofit championed by Gov. Ron DeSantis’ wife, only to be funneled to political action committees supporting DeSantis’ anti marijuana campaign. Transferring funds from a state-connected charity to political committees instead of the intended recipient, the Florida Agency for Healthcare Administration, reeked of money laundering and wire fraud; however, the Florida House of Representatives discontinued its investigation after Hope Florida and the other nonprofits receiving these funds refused to cooperate. Apparently in Florida, noncooperation of the accused is grounds for case dismissal.
Then there are the questionable dealings of the University of Florida’s Law School in hiring Uthmeier as a part-time adjunct professor. UF bent their own rules, bypassing internal procedures to expedite bringing him on board. He received no standard faculty review, his course was apparently not accountable to normal curriculum committee requirements, he did not receive full faculty approval, and he began teaching a month before he was formally approved. The cherry on this cake was that he is paid $100,000 for teaching one two-hour class per week, which is 20 times the average $5,000 that part-timers are typically paid, and eight times higher than the median adjunct’s salary. His alleged exceptionalism is based on being an appointed member of DeSantis’ administration since 2019.
The process of day-to-day operations in the Attorney General’s office doesn’t instill confidence:
Uthmeier received a civil Contempt of Court ruling in Miami for violating a temporary restraining order that blocked a state law targeting undocumented immigrants. He invited law enforcement to defy the federal court by claiming in an April 23 letter that “no lawful, legitimate order” stopped them from making arrests.
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He sued Planned Parenthood, alleging falsely advertising about safety of medical abortion drugs. Studies have shown medication abortion is safe: perhaps he is trying to recoup $350 million to partially cover the bite from the Alligator.
He unsuccessfully demanded a cancellation of a sold-out drag queen Christmas touring show in Pensacola, saying it was a “city-sanctioned religious mockery and obscene.” Pensacola City Council declined to cancel the show, citing potential legal liabilities for violating First Amendment rights. They understand the law.
These questionable actions by Florida’s current attorney general indicate a poor choice of appointment by DeSantis. His one job should be to serve the people.
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Debra Lupton is a retired architect and CEO. She lives in Winter Park.