Ex-University of Florida president faces scrutiny for large raises to former Senate staffers
University of Florida President Ben Sasse recently came under fire after it was discovered that he had awarded secretive consulting contracts and high-paying jobs to former members of his U.S. Senate staff and Republican allies. The Independent Florida Alligator reported that Sasse granted six former staffers and two former Republican officials jobs with salaries that exceeded comparable positions. Most of them did not even relocate to Gainesville, instead opting to work remotely from hundreds of miles away.
Governor Ron DeSantis and Florida’s chief financial officer have called for an investigation by the state university system’s Board of Governors following the revelations. Sasse’s spending reached $17.3 million during his first year in office, far surpassing the $5.6 million spent by his predecessor. This raised concerns over the appropriation of state funds, prompting calls for accountability from the university leadership.
Sasse defended these controversial hirings, arguing that they were essential for UF’s ambitious plans to expand into new territories such as satellite campuses, K-12 charter schools, and technological advancements. He expressed confidence in the legitimacy of these decisions and welcomed an audit to ensure compliance with budget regulations.
Some of the notable hirings included Raymond Sass, Sasse’s former Senate chief of staff, who was appointed as the university’s vice president for innovation and partnerships with an annual salary of $396,000. Similarly, James Wegmann, Sasse’s former Senate communications director, became UF’s vice president of communications with an annual pay of $432,000. Both individuals continued to reside in Washington, D.C., raising concerns about the increase in travel expenses for Sasse’s office.
In addition to former Senate staffers, Sasse hired individuals with strong Republican affiliations, including former Tennessee Commissioner of Education Penny Schwinn and Alice James Burns, a former scheduler for South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham. These appointments, coupled with significant consulting contracts, including a $4.7 million deal with McKinsey & Company, have sparked outrage and calls for transparency in the university’s financial dealings.
As the controversy unfolds, the spotlight remains on Sasse’s administration and the need for accountability in the expenditure of public funds. The investigation by the Board of Governors will shed light on the practices under Sasse’s leadership and determine the appropriateness of the decisions made during his tenure at the university.
