Overview
- Amended Q3 and new Q4 filings list $207,500 in unauthorized outlays from the Pelican Political Action Committee between Aug. 6 and Oct. 30.
- Eight payments went to O’Reilly Business LLC, which state records show is registered to former PAC treasurer and registered agent Yolanda Brown, who resigned in September.
- Welch’s team says it terminated Brown, installed a new treasurer, demanded repayment, and notified state and federal authorities after the money was not returned despite a purported wire receipt.
- The PAC raised $48,225 in Q4, down from more than $142,000 in Q3, leaving roughly $30,000–$32,000 on hand as rivals and outside groups post far stronger totals, including St. Pete Shines with $725,000 and Charlie Crist’s effort topping $700,000.
- Florida Politics reports Brown previously entered a 2024 plea in Alameda County under the name Yolanda Cheers related to felony grand theft, and other Florida committees now allege missing funds and are contacting law enforcement, while Welch’s earlier Pelican PAC was revoked by the state in 2024 for compliance failures.