University paid $302,000 in security fees by mistake
Century Tower at the University of Florida campus in Gainesville, Florida. [Photo courtesy: UF]
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (FOX 35 WOFL) - Days after county officials decided not the charge the University of Florida $302,000 in security costs during a white nationalist speaking event featuring Richard Spencer, the school accidentally paid the entire amount.
Now university officials want the money back. University spokesman Steve Orlando tells The Gainesville Sun the wire transfer was made after an "internal miscommunication."
Alachua County spokesman Mark Sexton acknowledges the take-back request from the university has been received, adding that "the county commission will discuss what to do next in due course."
Protesters' chants drowned out Spencer's message. He called the protesters "babies and "pathetic" before ending the event early.
The Sun reports Spencer and his group paid $10,500 toward the event's costs, while the Florida Highway Patrol spent $266,000 on the event.