DeSantis' office acknowledges golf simulator from wealthy donor, raising ethics concerns

The office of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis acknowledged on Wednesday the state has in its possession a golf simulator that reportedly was given to the governor's mansion by a wealthy political donor with close ties to the Republican governor.

The Washington Post and Reuters reported Wednesday that Mori Hosseini, a Florida developer and longtime GOP donor in the state, had lent a golf simulator to the governor's mansion in 2019.

Asked about the reports, DeSantis spokesman Jeremy Redfern referred CNN to a statement he issued to the Post which did not dispute the source of the simulator.

"As with all donations, it was accepted and coordinated by staff and approved by legal counsel," Redfern said in the statement. "Donations to the residence and grounds have been received over many administrations. It will remain in the state's possession for the use of first families, their guests, and staff as it is now."

The Post and Reuters, citing records obtained through public information requests, reported that James Uthmeier, a DeSantis lawyer at the time and now his chief of staff, wrote a letter to Hosseini in 2019 acknowledging receipt of the simulator to be stored "within the Florida Governor's Mansion gym and will be returned to you immediately upon request."

"I have reviewed and approved the circumstances of this loan to the Mansion Commission and verify that it is permissible in accordance with the Governor's Ethics Code and Florida Statutory Code," Uthmeier wrote.

CNN has not independently reviewed the records.