Ghost candidates, dark money and a 'winning formula': Florida corruption case linked to Republicans
A South Florida political corruption case has tentacles reaching Republican operatives across Florida, including Data Targeting Inc., a Gainesville firm that's been a cog in the GOP machine for more than two decades.
The scandal also extends to people tied to Associated Industries Inc., a powerful business lobbying firm in Tallahassee, records show.
Frank Artiles, the former Republican state senator who's expected to stand trial Aug. 30 on several felony charges stemming from accusations he paid a "ghost" candidate in a South Florida state Senate race, was paid $90,000 as a consultant by Data Targeting.
That firm was also intimately involved in other campaigns, including that of District 9 state Sen. Jason Brodeur, who represents part of Volusia County. A no-party-affiliation ghost candidate also ran on a liberal platform in Republican Brodeur's race, siphoning votes from his Democratic opponent.
https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/state/2021/07/30/florida-ghost-candidate-election-corruption-frank-artiles-republican-lawmakers-third-party/5391308001/
