Republican fundraiser for Gov. Rick Scott sparks protests from immigration groups

Fundraiser's host makes millions from detention facilities

BOCA RATON, Fla. – Florida Gov. Rick Scott was on his way to a fundraiser at a mansion in Boca Raton, Monday afternoon. The event was linked to a company that makes millions from keeping undocumented migrants behind bars

It was an upgrade from the initial plan to schedule the fundraiser to support Scott's campaign for his reelection at the mansion of a Harvard-trained convicted tax cheat. The $10,000 per person event at the home of Jim Batmasian was cancelled after a Mother Jones report.

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The new host was George Zoley, the CEO of GEO Group, one of the biggest private prison companies in the country. Tickets for the private dinner were $10,000 per plate. Access to the general reception was $3,000 per person.

Protesters from several immigration groups prepared to stand across Zoley's home, 1515 Fans Palm Road.

Zoley, a graduate of both Florida Atlantic University and Nova Southeastern University, founded GEO Group in 1997. The detention facility that GEO Group runs in Boca Raton has been under investigation several times.

"There have been reports of abuse, sexual assault, inadequate mental health care, over use of solitary confinement, and food poisoning from being served rotten food," said Sam Coleman, of Florida For All, an organization founded in 2013 that consistently attacks Scott.

Read an investigation on the Boca Raton detention facility


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