Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced Tuesday that his office has issued an investigative subpoena to the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), examining whether the organization accepted contributions or support from foreign sources of concern, including the governments of Cuba and China.
The investigation will examine recent DSA delegations to Cuba, where national leaders and national political committee members met with Cuban government officials, as well as a delegation to China. It also includes fundraising solicitations seeking tens of thousands of dollars from donors to cover travel expenses and related activities involving Florida chapters.
Uthmeier said the investigation is being conducted under Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act and laws governing the solicitation of funds. State law prohibits contributions from foreign sources of concern and requires organizations to be transparent about how funds are raised and used.
The subpoena seeks documents needed to determine whether DSA complied with those laws. Uthmeier said his office will follow the facts and enforce the law, adding that Florida will not allow foreign adversaries to influence the state through nonprofit fundraising.
