More photos link DeSantis, Giuliani

Associates Parnas, Fruman attended inauguration in 2019

Even more photos have surfaced of two indicted Rudy Giuliani associates at another event for Gov. Ron DeSantis, this time in 2019 as he was sworn into office.

The Tampa Bay Times reported Friday that photos from the Jan. 8 DeSantis inauguration show Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman “mingling in an area cordoned off for an exclusive crowd of dignitaries, elected officials, lobbyists and family. They are wearing suits and sunglasses as they rub elbows with some of Florida’s most powerful people.”

The photos are just the latest revelation of how close Parnas and Fruman were to DeSantis’s orbit during the campaign. They also show the relationship extended to the start of his governorship.

The two were there, the Times reported, because DeSantis’s inauguration team told organizers to reserve seats near the front for certain people, including Parnas and Fruman.

The finance director for DeSantis’ political committee told the Times the governor didn’t see or approve the entire invitation list.

The pair were arrested and charged earlier this month by federal prosecutors in New York with using front companies to

funnel foreign money campaigns in violation U.S. law.

While they donated $50,000 to DeSantis’s political committee, a donation DeSantis has ordered returned, the governor’s spokesperson had claimed he had never met “one-onone” with the two.

But pictures and videos of Parnas and Fruman with to of

DeSantis at his election night celebration party in Orlando soon surfaced, including one where he hugs Fruman.

That was soon followed by photos of Parnas with DeSantis at campaign rallies in Boca Raton and South Daytona the weekend before the election.

DeSantis wouldn’t say this week whether he met the two men since he became governor, adding that one of them — he didn’t say which — wanted to be on a governor’s transition committee for public safety. DeSantis said that request was denied.

He also denied being on the same plane as Parnas during the campaign swing.

The Florida Democratic Party is seeking records of DeSantis’ communications with Parnas and Fruman.