List of Florida political scandals

This article provides a list of political scandals which occurred in the State of Florida.

Politician is defined as "a person who is professionally involved in politics", and includes not only those elected to office, their staffs and appointees, but also those who routinely work in politics such as pollsters. Major officials of political parties and their staffs, as well as those elected by their party to be candidates are also included. Local politicians, mayors, sheriffs, and county officials should not be included.

Scandal is defined as "loss of, or damage to, reputation caused by actual or apparent violation of morality or propriety". Breaking the law is always considered a scandal. The finding of a public court is the sole method used to determine a violation of law, but it is not the sole method of determining a scandal.

Please note that all people are considered innocent until proven guilty. Allegations of misconduct do not imply guilt nor do admissions of guilt in the absence of a conviction. Investigations that end without a determination do not imply innocence.

Breaches of ethics, unproven crimes or cover-ups may or may not result in inclusion depending on the amount of publicity generated, and the seriousness of the crime, if any. Notoriety and notability are a major determinant of a scandal. Politicians who resign, quit, flee, or commit suicide while being investigated or threatened with investigation may also be included.

Different scandals on different dates may result in multiple listings.

The list does not include crimes that occur outside the politician's tenure (such as before or after his term in office) unless they specifically stem from acts made while in office, such as bribery, and discovered later.

Given the political nature of legislatures where the leading party has determining power, politicians who are Rebuked, Denounced, Censured, Admonished, Condemned, Suspended, Reprimanded, Found in Contempt, Found to have Acted Improperly, or of using Poor Judgment are not included unless the scandal is exceptional or leads to further action such as expulsion, conviction or resignation. Executive pardons may or may not be mentioned, but do not erase the scandal. The verdict and legal proceedings are not affected by pardons, but may affect the sentence.

State of Florida

• Jeff Siegmeister (R) State Attorney for the 3rd Judicial Circuit in the Lake City area, was accused of conspiracy, extortion, fraud and tax evasion relating to stealing money from an estate he was guarding, and accepting a bribe concerning an alleged gambling house. He was found guilty and ordered to return $518,000 from the estate, $90,870 to the IRS and was sentenced to 40 months in prison. (2023)

• Joe Harding (R) State Representative from the 22nd District, was accused of wire fraud, money laundering, and making false statements for his involvement in a COVID-19 relief fraud scheme. He resigned his seat, pled guilty and was sentenced to 40 months in jail. (2020)

• Mike Ertel (R) Secretary of State of Florida, was appointed by Republican Governor Ron DeSantis. Two weeks later, pictures emerged of Ertel in blackface dressed as a "Hurricane Katrina victim" taken at a Halloween party 14 years earlier. He resigned the same day. (2019)

• Benjamin Kelly (R) District Secretary to State Representative Shawn Harrison (R) for District 63, allegedly referred to survivors of the Parkland School mass shooting who protested at other events, as “actors that travel to various crisis when they happen.” Representative Harrison was "appalled" by the comments and fired him. (2018)

• Jeff Clemens (D) State Senator from Lake Worth in District 31, was accused of having an extramarital affair with lobbyist Devon West. When the news broke, he resigned. (2017)

• Frank Artiles (R) State Senator from District 40, was accused of using sexist and racist profanities about fellow legislators. He was also discovered to have used campaign money to hire models from Hooters and Playboy to pose as ‘consultants’ in his Political Action Committee. When an investigation into the misconduct was ordered, he apologized and resigned the next day. (2017)

• Dwayne L. Taylor (D) State Representative from Daytona Beach in the 26 District, was found guilty of wire fraud for using campaign funds for personal use, which included a Mercedes Benz, a wedding and other every day expenses. He was sentenced to 13 months in prison, plus 18 months of probation. (2017)

• Stephen Bittel (D) Chairman of the Florida Democratic Party, was accused of sexual harassment after six staffers complained about his inappropriate and demeaning behavior toward women. He resigned. (2017)

• Daisy Baez (D) State Representative from Coral Gables in the 114th District, was accused of not living in the district she represented. She pled guilty to perjury, resigned, fined $1000, and was put on probation for one year. (2017)

• Jack Latvala (R) State Senator from Pinellas County in District 16, was accused by multiple female staff and lobbyists from both parties of sexual harassment. During an investigation, emails and photos supported the claim that Latvala was trading his legislative vote for sex. He then resigned. (2017)

• Erik Fresen (R) State Representative from District 114, was accused of not filing a tax return in 2011. He pled guilty, and was sentenced to jail for 60 days with one year probation, plus restitution. (2017)

• Ritch Workman (R) Commissioner of the Florida Public Service Commission. At a charity event, he was accused of sexual harassment by Republican State Senator Lizbeth Benacquisto who claimed he had touched her inappropriately and made vulgar comments and gestures. When asked to stop, he continued until others intervened. He immediately resigned. (2016)

• Reggie Fullwood (D) State Representative from Jacksonville in the 13th District, was accused of wire fraud and failure to file federal income tax returns for calendar years 2010 through 2013. He pled guilty and was given three years of supervision, home confinement, community service and fined. (2013)

• Jennifer S. Carroll (R) Lieutenant Governor, was discovered in a ‘compromising position’ with her staff travel aide, by another staff member Carletha Cole. Cole claims she was fired soon after. Republican Governor Rick Scott then accused Carroll of office mismanagement, retaliation against staff, tax improprieties and lesbianism. When she was questioned by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, she abruptly resigned. (2013)

• Bob Allen (Florida politician) (R) State Representative from Merritt Island in District 32, was charged with solicitation of a male police officer in a park restroom. He was found guilty, sentenced to six months' probation, and fined. At the urging of Republican leaders, he also resigned. (2007)

• Mike Horner (politician) (R) State Representative from Kissimmee in the 79th District, was running for re-election when it was reported that he was a client at a brothel. He abruptly resigned. (2012)

See also

• Lists of political scandals in the United States by state or territory
• List of federal political scandals in the United States
• List of American state and local politicians convicted of crimes

References

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