Former Florida Senator Jack Latvala case heads toward hearing

Share
Jack Latvala
Jack Latvala (R-Clearwater). By Seán Kinane / WMNF News (2 Dec. 2016).

Nearly five years after he resigned from the Legislature, former Sen. Jack Latvala is headed toward a hearing before an administrative law judge in a case involving allegations of sexual misconduct.

The Florida Commission on Ethics this week sent the case to the state Division of Administrative Hearings.

The move came after the commission in July rejected a proposed settlement and found “probable cause” that Latvala, a Pinellas County Republican, violated ethics laws.

The case includes allegations that Latvala sexually harassed a former Senate staff member and had an improper sexual relationship with a lobbyist.

Latvala announced his resignation from the Senate in December 2017 after a special master recommended a criminal probe into his conduct.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement conducted an investigation, but Latvala was not charged with any crimes.

The ethics commission received a complaint in December 2017.

During an appearance before the commission in July, Latvala acknowledged the relationship with the lobbyist but said there was no “quid pro quo” involving the relationship and his lawmaking duties.

He disputed the allegations that he sexually harassed the former Senate staff member. The proposed settlement would have admitted “poor judgment” in the sexual relationship with the lobbyist.

But the commission decided the allegations should go before an administrative law judge. The case has been assigned to Judge Hetal Desai.

via News Service Florida

Leave a Reply

  • (will not be published)

XHTML: You can use these tags: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <s> <strike> <strong>

You may also like

Governor DeSantis touts state immigration enforcement at Tampa press conference

Listen: Governor Ron DeSantis is touting the state’s partnership with...

The Scoop: Mon. May 12, 2025, Tampa Bay and Florida headlines by WMNF

St. Petersburg celebrating three bills passed by Florida senate, Starbucks...

Check out the images from one of the hottest Tropical Heatwave shows ever!

Photos of Chuck Prophet, Skating Polly, Sue Foley, Zach Person...

Heavy rains continue with floods possible

Rainfall totals will range between 2 and 4 inches. However,...

Ways to listen

WMNF is listener-supported. That means we don't advertise like a commercial station, and we're not part of a university.

Ways to support

WMNF volunteers have fun providing a variety of needed services to keep your community radio station alive and kickin'.

Traffic Jam Monday
Player position: