One would have to look at the criminal fraud statutes. Even though it would be a no go in Florida you have Texas and Massachusetts as a possibility. Then their are more exotic things to look at like Rico and civil rights violations. If this meets the definition of fraud in either one of those two states it should be prosecuted due to the severe harm suffered by the victims.
Originally posted by: MisterPicture
I don't think this was a criminal act. I don't think it matches the definition of kidnapping, human trafficking, or any other crime I can think of.
But civil fraud committed on behalf of the state of Florida? I'm saying yes. The state of Florida entered into a contract offering a plane ride and dishonestly promising residency, training, and shelter. And the victims gave of their time and inconvenience. Offer + Acceptance + Consideration = A Contract.
That's just business law 101.
Well...if you take that approach, there wasn't a contract...because a contract requires a promise and consideration. What consideration/payment was requested of the residence seekers? I'm guessing it was vague at best.
It could be argued that when the victims boarded the plane, they were tacitly accepting the contract. Of course, I doubt very much that they were ever told that they had the option to refuse.
These migrants had to sign a consent form before boarding the MV-bound plane/s. I have no idea regarding the details/terms included within those forms, which might be pretty important in order to determine what they might have agreed to in writing. Would that signed consent form constitute a "written contract" ? I don't know, but if so it would certainly hold some weight and influence as evidence in any future court proceeding involving DeSantis.
Following a difficult and strenuous two-month trek from Venezuela to arrive at the southern US border, most of these migrants would at least anecdotally sign a form for boarding a plane destined for the North Pole, most likely.
Originally posted by: Charles Higgins
These migrants had to sign a consent form before boarding the MV-bound plane/s. I have no idea regarding the details/terms included within those forms, which might be pretty important in order to determine what they might have agreed to in writing. Would that signed consent form constitute a "written contract" ? I don't know, but if so it would certainly hold some weight and influence as evidence in any future court proceeding involving DeSantis.
Following a difficult and strenuous two-month trek from Venezuela to arrive at the southern US border, most of these migrants would at least anecdotally sign a form for boarding a plane destined for the North Pole, most likely.
The consent doesn't matter because the consent was obtained through fraud. They were promised eight months of cash assistance, housing, food and jobs. This should be prosecuted if these actions constitute a crime in the jurisdictions involved. I suspect they do.
A strong message needs to be sent that you can't take advantage of vulnerable people, use them as political props in some sick game and then abandon them on the side of the road. It really is incredibly inhumane and sick behavior. DeSantis should be jailed for it.
Originally posted by: Mark
The consent doesn't matter because the consent was obtained through fraud. They were promised eight months of cash assistance, housing, food and jobs. This should be prosecuted if these actions constitute a crime in the jurisdictions involved. I suspect they do.
A strong message needs to be sent that you can't take advantage of vulnerable people, use them as political props in some sick game and then abandon them on the side of the road. It really is incredibly inhumane and sick behavior. DeSantis should be jailed for it.
Who promised them eight months of cash assistance, etc? Is there proof ?
The DeSantis folks were so dumb they printed it up in a brochure and handed it out to the victims.
https://www.businessinsider.com/marthas-vineyard-migrants-given-brochure-promising-cash-jobs-2022-9
It's been covered in most major news venues. Of course I am sure it wasn't covered on the conservative opinion circuit. They were too busy celebrating the victimization of their fellow humans.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/immigration/migrants-flown-marthas-vineyard-sue-desantis-lawsuit-alleging-fraud-rcna48649
Sorry gang, I guess I was wrong when I said that Desantis didn't break any laws other than just fraud.
It turns out that the Florida law that allows the use of taxpayer funds to reallocate immigrants specifies that they must be residing in Florida. The victims of this political stunt resided in Texas. So I'm sure all of those fiscally conservative Republicans who condemn the misuse of taxpayer funds will now condemn Desantis for his actions.
Yeah, who am I kidding?
Originally posted by: Mark
The DeSantis folks were so dumb they printed it up in a brochure and handed it out to the victims.
https://www.businessinsider.com/marthas-vineyard-migrants-given-brochure-promising-cash-jobs-2022-9
It's been covered in most major news venues. Of course I am sure it wasn't covered on the conservative opinion circuit. They were too busy celebrating the victimization of their fellow humans.
Yeah, I saw the brochure previously. I try to view both journalistic sides, actually. Most times they both piss me off equally. Thanks foir the links.
Originally posted by: MisterPicture
Sorry gang, I guess I was wrong when I said that Desantis didn't break any laws other than just fraud.
It turns out that the Florida law that allows the use of taxpayer funds to reallocate immigrants specifies that they must be residing in Florida. The victims of this political stunt resided in Texas. So I'm sure all of those fiscally conservative Republicans who condemn the misuse of taxpayer funds will now condemn Desantis for his actions.
Yeah, who am I kidding?
If they broke the law, then they broke the law. We'll see.
