Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman are associates of Giuliani, Trump's personal lawyer. | AP Photo Florida fundraisers subpoenaed in probe of Giuliani associates

TALLAHASSEE — Federal authorities have subpoenaed several Florida fundraisers and donors, including Ballard Partners, a lobbying firm run by a prominent Republican fundraiser with close ties to President Donald Trump, as part of an investigation into associates of Rudy Giuliani.

The New York Times reported late Wednesday that prosecutors in Manhattan issued the subpoenas to the firm started by Brian Ballard and to two people who raised money for America First Action, a super PAC dedicated to helping the president and his allies. CNN reported that another subpoena went to Meredith O'Rourke, a prominent Republican fundraiser who helped raise money for Trump and other top GOP politicians in Florida. CNN said Paul Okoloko, an executive with a Nigerian fertilizer company who lives in Florida, also received a subpoena.


The Times reported that there was "no indication" of wrongdong by those who had received subpoenas.

Ballard, who splits his time between Washington and Tallahassee, is one of the most prominent and successful lobbyists in the state capital. The subpoena to his firm seeks documents related to a payment by Ballard Partners to Lev Parnas, who steered business to the firm, which has seen its presence in Washington expand significantly since Trump took office.

Parnas and Igor Fruman are associates of Giuliani, Trump's personal lawyer. Federal prosecutors in Manhattan have accused Parnas and Fruman of attempting to funnel foreign money into U.S. elections and influence U.S. politics on behalf of at least one Ukrainian government official.

The two men have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Parnas and Fruman, who are based in South Florida, were helping Giuliani investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, a 2020 Democratic presidential candidate and frequent target of Trump's attacks.

Shortly after the indictments were announced, Gov. Ron DeSantis said his campaign had disgorged $50,000 in donations from a company created by Parnas and Fruman.

The New York Times reported that William Taylor, a lawyer for Ballard Partners, confirmed that the client that Parnas referred to the lobbying firm was the Turkish government. Taylor told the newspaper that Ballard Partners was cooperating with New York prosecutors.

Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi recently left Ballard Partners to help the White House during the impeachment inquiry.