ORLANDO, Fla. – The Florida Democratic Party has filed a public records request with the Gov. DeSantis’ office and the Florida Division of Emergency Management for all documents related to the state contracts behind the internment camp known as “Alligator Alcatraz,” a news release stated.
Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried said in the statement released Monday that the facility was “rushed together” and is projected to cost taxpayers $450 million every year.
[VIDEO: Lawmakers visit ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ after being blocked]
“Republicans claimed this internment camp was meant for ‘dangerous criminals.’ That was a lie,” Fried said in a statement. “The vast majority of people detained have no history of violence. Governor DeSantis is abusing emergency powers to hand out no-bid contracts to political donors.”
Democratic lawmakers visited the facility on Saturday and saw 30 men packed into cages with broken toilets and no access to basic hygiene, according to the release.
The party has requested copies of all contracts, communications and agreements between the Executive Office of the Governor and/or the Florida Division of Emergency Management and any private entities involved in the planning, construction and operation of the facility, officials said.
[VIDEO: Alligator Alcatraz detainee unreachable, Orlando immigration attorney claims]
“Our public records request is about accountability,” Fried said in a statement. “Floridians deserve answers.”