Florida judge rejects DeSantis' bid to toss out migrant flight lawsuit

• DeSantis’ lawyers attempted to get the case from Pizzo, who is suing as a private citizen, tossed out.
• The judge did, however, agree to drop the state's Chief Financial Officer, Jimmy Patronis, as a defendant.

Catch up quick: Pizzo sued DeSantis and other state officials over their effort to transport migrants, saying it violated the state program because the migrants were not in the country illegally and their flight did not originate in Florida.

• At least two other lawsuits have been filed over the matter.

By the numbers: The state is facing a hefty price tag for the whole affair.

• The Florida Department of Transportation paid the aviation company that conducted the migrant flights nearly $1.6 million.
• The state may also end up paying up to $1 million to defend itself in a class action filed by the migrants.

DeSantis' office did not immediately respond to Axios' for comment.