Overview

• ProPublica reports that Naples donor Sinan Gursoy texted Kristi Noem in August, after which FEMA obligated $11 million to rebuild the Hurricane Ian–damaged pier.
• Naples officials were told the project required Noem’s personal approval under a DHS policy she set for expenditures over $100,000.
• Following Gursoy’s outreach, a FEMA representative told the city the project was being pushed immediately per leadership instruction.
• Noem flew to Naples on August 29, toured the pier, dined with Gursoy, and stayed overnight, as DHS maintained the funding decision was not political.
• Gursoy donated at least $25,000 to Noem’s 2022 campaign, and the case fuels broader questions about delays and internal strain since DHS centralized spending approvals.