Incumbent Congressman Randy Fine (R-Fla.) recently issued a criminal referral against political challenger Dan Bilzerian and Lake County Commissioner Anthony Sabatini to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for suspected Foreign Election Interference.
The referral asks federal authorities to investigate the distribution of approximately $1 million in unreported campaign expenditures by an unregistered political organization named “Florida First Action Network.”
“For the first time in American history, it appears that foreign actors are directly purchasing campaign advertising in an effort to manipulate election results in the United States,” Congressman Fine alleged. “They have already spent a million dollars attacking me and are working directly with a foreign citizen, Las Vegas resident Dan Bilzerian, who is running for Congress.”
The Organization's Illegal Efforts To Affect Fine's Campaign
The organization is reportedly not registered with the Federal Election Commission (FEC), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Florida Division of Corporations, Florida Elections Commission, or – to Rep. Fine’s knowledge – any other government agency.
In the two weeks before Florida’s Primary Election, the organization made three six-figure advertising purchases to several cable operators. In addition, it has distributed direct-mail pieces and text messages across Florida’s 6th Congressional District.
“These advertisements promote Bilzerian’s candidacy while attacking Fine,” according to Congressman Fine’s office.
Sabatini's Alleged Involvement In The Matter
Sabatini and his law firm, Sabatini Law, P.A., are also believed to be associated with the act, according to documents obtained by one of the cable operators. Commissioner Sabatini is designated as the sole agent for the organization.
The law firm is also listed as Bilzerian’s campaign address, per the FEC’s website.
“Given the firm’s financial relationship with the Bilzerian campaign and Anthony Sabatini’s role with the ghost entity… Fine is asking federal investigators to determine the extent of the firm’s involvement, including whether any other attorneys or employees… had knowledge of, participated in, facilitated, or received funds connected to the illegal activities under investigation,” Congressman Fine’s office wrote.
Bilzerian's Antisemitic Attack On Rep. Fine
The incumbent Congressman is wasting no time going after Bilzerian.
Rep. Fine’s announcement comes a day after Bilzerian posted an antisemitic Artificial Intelligence (AI)-generated video attacking the Jewish Republican.
In the video, Bilzerian refers to Rep. Fine as a "fat jew" and questions whether the public should "revisit" Adolf Hitler's views.
