WASHINGTON, July 6 (Reuters) - California Governor Gavin Newsom on Thursday urged the Department of Justice to open criminal and civil investigations into Florida's transportation of migrants to Martha's Vineyard and Sacramento in recent months. "We urge the USDOJ to investigate potential violations of federal law by those involved in this scheme." Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who is seeking the Republican Party's 2024 presidential nomination, last year arranged to transport dozens of migrants to the Massachusetts vacation island of Martha's Vineyard. Florida also acknowledged a role in sending two flights of migrants to California last month, saying all of them traveled voluntarily. A referral for potential criminal prosecution for that flight is pending with the Bexas County District Attorney's Office and the California Department of Justice has opened criminal and civil investigations into the circumstances of the Sacramento flights.

---

Persons: Gavin Newsom, Newsom, General Merrick Garland, Ron DeSantis, Jasper Ward, Richard Chang Organizations: Department of Justice, Vineyard, Republican, Democratic, Attorney's Office, California Department of Justice, U.S . Department of Justice, Thomson Locations: California, Sacramento, Florida, Massachusetts, Martha's, Texas, Bexar County, San Antonio, Bexas County