Vertol Systems Company, Inc.

"The only civil company currently operating Russian helicopters in the United States." Per American Bridge: "According to our research, Vertol has a long history of purchasing military grade helicopters from Russia. They also touted their Russian helicopters in August (2022), long after many companies had pulled out of dealing with Russia. Since the company has come under increased scrutiny, it appears as if they have scrubbed their website deleting any mention of Russia. (Until early Sept., 2022) on their website, they were bragging about being the only American civil company using Russian helicopters. Just a few years ago, they paid over $48 million to a Russian company that the Treasury Department has banned because it’s supporting Russian transgressions against Ukraine,” said American Bridge 21st Century Co-Chair and former Montana Governor Steve Bullock." Per Tampa Bay Times: "Destin-based Vertol Systems Company is in aviation, its primary business is training pilots for the military and providing helicopters across the globe. The state has paid Vertol Systems more than $1.56 million to, among other things, arrange last week’s migrant flights from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard, which sparked outrage, a criminal investigation by a local sheriff and a federal lawsuit by some of the migrants. So far, Keefe’s ties to Vertol Systems are the best explanation of why the state hired the company. Before DeSantis hired Keefe, and before being named U.S. Attorney for Florida’s Northern District by then-President Donald Trump, Keefe represented Vertol Systems in a dozen law suits between 2010 and 2017. The DeSantis administration has disclosed few details about the secretive program, which is being paid for with $12 million in interest earned from federal COVID-19 relief money. Vertol is active in GOP politics. In addition to Keefe, U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, whom Keefe hired, also represented Vertol Systems in two 2010 lawsuits. The company and its owner, James Montgomerie, have given $27,000 to Republican politicians and political committees since 2005. Vertol Systems is a partner in a company called Zeppelin Holdings LLC with Jay Odom, a prominent Okaloosa County developer and close associate of Gaetz."