In Gainesville, Florida, former University of Florida president Ben Sasse reportedly spent over $1.3 million on private catering for various events during his first year in office. This amount was double what his predecessor, Kent Fuchs, had spent. Sasse, a former U.S. senator from Nebraska, resigned from his position citing his wife’s health and a desire to spend more time with his family. He plans to continue working at the university as a professor.
According to a report from Fresh Take Florida, Sasse’s office spent a total of $17.3 million during his first year as president, significantly more than the $5.6 million spent by Fuchs in his final year. The university’s overall budget is reported to be $9 billion.
The spending by Sasse’s office came under scrutiny after reports emerged that he had given high-paying jobs to several former staffers and Republican officials, many of whom did not relocate to Gainesville but worked remotely from a distance. Additionally, Sasse hosted a lavish holiday party in December, costing $176,800, where guests were served expensive dishes including hand-rolled sushi and premium liquor.
It remains unclear whether the expenses for Sasse’s catering and events were covered by taxpayer dollars or donor contributions, as detailed records of the source of funding were not provided in the report. A spokesperson for Sasse declined to comment on the matter when contacted by the news service.
