Gov. DeSantis wants review of Ben Sasse's expenses as president of the U. of Florida

Gov. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., wants an inquiry into the official expenses of the University of Florida's (UF) former president, Ben Sasse. The inquiry call came after UF's student newspaper reported on expenses tripling under Sasse.

Sasse's first-year expenses reportedly totaled $17.3 million. His predecessor's final-year expenses only amounted to $5.6 million, The Washington Examiner reported.

Consulting firm contracts and high-paid remote positions for former Sasse congressional staffers accounted for most of the spending. Sasse served as a U.S. senator from Nebraska from 2015 to 2023. He was one of seven Republican senators who voted to convict former President Trump after his second impeachment by the House. 

DeSantis communications director Bryan Griffin said discussions were underway between UF and the Florida Board of Governors.

"Reports of UF’s exorbitant spending by Ben Sasse’s office are concerning," Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis said while offering the auditing services of the Florida Department of Financial Services.

Sasse posted a lengthy statement on X responding to the accusations. He said there was "substantial funding for a number of important initiatives" and denied any inappropriate spending.