Ron DeSantis penned the cease-and-desist letters sent by Florida’s health department threatening to criminally prosecute local TV stations over their airing of an abortion rights ad, the department’s former general counsel said in court documents. “I did not draft the letters or participate in any discussions about the letters prior to October 3,” Wilson wrote. Spokespersons for DeSantis and the Florida Department of Health did not immediately respond to CNN requests for comment. Wilson’s allegations come after local TV stations began airing an ad by Floridians Protecting Freedom, the group behind the state’s “Yes on 4 Campaign,” promoting a ballot measure seeking to overturn the state’s six-week abortion ban by enshrining abortion rights in the state’s constitution. Local TV stations also received support from FCC chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, who said earlier this month that “threats against broadcast stations for airing content that conflicts with the government’s views are dangerous and undermine the fundamental principle of free speech.”

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Persons: Ron DeSantis, John Wilson, Sam Elliot, Wilson, Ryan Newman, Jed Doty, “, ” Wilson, Newman, Doty, ” Newman, Caroline, ” Caroline, Floridians, Joseph Ladapo, Jessica Rosenworcel, ” Organizations: New, New York CNN, Gov, Florida’s Department of Health, DeSantis, Florida Department of Health, CNN, Floridians, Ladapo Locations: New York, Florida, Local