Ex-UF President Accused of Misusing Funds

— The recent resignation of University of Florida President Ben Sasse has sparked controversy over his spending practices, particularly regarding high-paying job appointments and consulting contracts awarded to former staffers and political allies. The Independent Florida Alligator, the student-run newspaper, reported that Sasse employed six former Senate staffers and two Republican officials at salaries significantly higher than comparable positions, prompting calls for an investigation from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and the state’s chief financial officer. During his first year in office, Sasse's expenditures reached $17.3 million, a stark contrast to the $5.6 million spent by his predecessor, Ken Fuchs. Critics have raised concerns about Sasse's qualifications, noting that his prior experience was limited to a five-year tenure as president of Midland University, which serves just over 1,600 students. Sasse defended his hiring decisions, stating that he recruited individuals he had previously worked with, a common practice for new CEOs, and emphasized that all appointments were made through the standard budget process. Among the notable hires was Raymond Sass, Sasse's former chief of staff, who was appointed as vice president for innovation and partnerships with a salary of $396,000, more than double his previous earnings. Additionally, James Wegmann, another former Senate aide, became the vice president of communications at a salary of $432,000. Sasse also appointed Penny Schwinn, the former Tennessee Commissioner of Education, as vice president for pre-kindergarten to grade 12 programs, with a salary of $367,500. As scrutiny continues, Sasse has expressed openness to an audit of his office's spending, while the university's overall budget stands at $9 billion.