By Ryan Dailey and Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday suspended Orlando-area State Attorney Monique Worrell, accusing the prosecutor of “neglecting her duty” and being lax on criminal enforcement.
DeSantis’ suspension of Worrell, elected in 2020 as state attorney for Florida’s 9th Judicial Circuit in Orange and Osceola counties, marks the second time in a year the Republican governor has acted to strip an elected Democratic prosecutor from office.
Speaking to reporters shortly after DeSantis announced her suspension Wednesday, Worrell decried what she called the “loss of democracy” through DeSantis’ action.
“I am your duly elected state attorney for the 9th Judicial Circuit, and nothing done by a weak dictator can change that,” Worrell said.
Worrell’s suspension came after she drew criticism from police union leaders who said her office should have done more to keep behind bars a man accused of shooting two Orlando police officers on Friday.
“We had a duty to act to protect the public from this dereliction of duty,” DeSantis said during a press conference Wednesday morning announcing the suspension.
Worrell said that she has spoken with her legal team and plans to challenge her suspension. She defended her record as state attorney, and said that two high-ranking employees in her office also were fired as part of the governor’s actions.
“I was elected by the people of the 9th Judicial Circuit to lead this circuit. And yes, to do things unconventionally, to do things differently. But I didn’t hide. … I did exactly what I said I would do, and that is what you want from an elected official,” Worrell said.
The Florida Constitution gives the governor the authority to suspend elected officials. The ultimate decision about removal from office rests with the Florida Senate.
In an executive order issued Wednesday, DeSantis maintained that Worrell’s policies prevent or discourage assistant state attorneys from seeking mandatory minimum sentences for gun crimes and drug trafficking offenses.
Worrell’s practices and policies constitute “abuse of prosecutorial discretion” and reflect “a systemic failure to enforce incarcerative penalties called for by Florida law,” the order said.
DeSantis’ order pointed to Florida Department of Corrections’ data, which he said showed that prison admission rates for Worrell’s region between Jan. 1, 2022 through March 31, 2023, “are below — often far below — the statewide average across all categories of criminal offenses, except three.”
DeSantis named Andrew Bain, who recently served as an Orange County judge, as acting state attorney. DeSantis in 2020 tapped Bain — a member of the conservative Federalist Society legal group — to serve on the county court.
“I will make this office accountable to the community we serve, and to ensure criminals who poison society, cause mayhem and murder are held accountable under the law,” Bain, who joined DeSantis at Wednesday’s press conference in the Capitol, told reporters.
Florida Democrats quickly blasted DeSantis’ action and accused the governor of using the suspension to try to pump up his presidential campaign.
“The authoritarian tactic of removing duly-elected officials without legal cause is a direct affront to voters and Gov. DeSantis’ removal of the Orlando state attorney is a brazen and petulant act of a flailing presidential candidate whose disregard for democracy and the rule of law is deeply troubling,” U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a Democrat from South Florida, said in a statement.
Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, also slammed what she called a “politically motivated action” by DeSantis.
“This is absolutely disgusting — State Attorney Monique Worrell is a duly elected official and the only Black woman serving as state attorney in Florida right now. Her removal is a complete slap in the face to Orange and Osceola County residents and another example of Governor DeSantis eroding our local control and democracy,” Eskamani said in a statement.
Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Nikki Fried also attacked DeSantis’ action, calling the suspension “a political hit job” that “threatens our democracy and undermines the will of the people.”
DeSantis’ move Wednesday came just over a year after DeSantis suspended Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren.
Warren filed a federal lawsuit in September challenging his removal from office, and U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle in January ruled that the suspension violated the Florida Constitution and the U.S. Constitution. Hinkle, however, said he lacked the authority to reinstate the prosecutor. The Atlanta-based 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments in Warren’s appeal but has not issued a ruling.
Warren in February also asked the Florida Supreme Court to reinstate him, arguing that the governor “exceeded his powers” in the suspension. The court in June rejected Warren’s attempt to get his job back, ruling that the twice-elected Democrat waited too long to bring the case.
Warren on Wednesday also rebuked DeSantis for suspending Worrell.
“Another illegal and unconstitutional attack on democracy by a small, scared man who is desperate to save his political career,” Warren said in a statement.
But Republicans and law enforcement officials praised the governor’s actions.
Worrell’s suspension “is absolutely imperative for the protection of our citizens,” said Attorney General Ashley Moody, who also flanked DeSantis at Wednesday’s event.
“If she were allowed to continue in this office, her failure would continue to cause needless pain, suffering, and death,” Moody added.
Moody said Worrell has dismissed charges or failed to file cases against defendants at a higher rate than any other prosecutor.
Central Florida law enforcement officials, including Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, also backed the suspension.
DeSantis on Wednesday accused Worrell’s office of mishandling the arrest and detention of Daton Viel, who allegedly shot two police officers on Friday before being killed Saturday morning by an Orlando SWAT team. Viel was arrested in March and charged with sexual battery on a minor, but was released after posting a $125,000 bail bond in April.
The Fraternal Order of Police of Orlando called Worrell “soft on crime” in a social media post Saturday.
Speaking to reporters Wednesday, Worrell said the police union assisted the governor’s office in her removal because, when she ran for office in 2020, she pledged to hold law-enforcement officers accountable for their actions.
“On that I delivered and that is the reason that law enforcement galvanized behind the governor’s undemocratic attack,” Worrell said.
Worrell, standing outside the Orlando County Courthouse, said she will continue running for reelection in 2024.
“I will not be quiet. I will not sit down. This office is just a building. I have been a public servant for my entire career. And I will continue to serve our community. I will continue to stand for democracy. I will continue to protect the rights of the disenfranchised,” she said.
DeSantis Suspends Central Florida Prosecutor added by Staff on
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Weed – I said why in my first comment on this thread.
Seriously, Graduated from FAMU. No one hires FAMU grads. When you give so much away, the receipitant begins to think getting free stuff is normal. That woman wants to sell her position to get rich no matter what the consequences are.
Little Flower
Why not ask the same question to Rudy Ferguson?
Herr Desantis strikes again. Fascist Ron.
I guess some commenters here suspect that Jack Porter supports Worrell and they don’t want that to be known.
All the more, I would like Tallahassee Reports to get Porter’s position on the record. Unlike some commenters, Porter may be happy to make her position known.
@ Little Flower = Campbell has given too many Criminals Assault Charges when they should have received Attempted MURDER Charges.
Tell me what you would have done for this: About 8 Years ago (give or take) a car load of Gang Members rolled up on a Rival Gang and began shooting at them. The Rival Gang started shooting back. Everyone scattered, I can’t remembered if they hit anyone. I couple HOURS later, that Rival Gang just happened to roll up on the First Gang that shot at them and in retaliation they shot at that Gang for pay back and they returned fire. In the end, everyone was arrested BUT, Campbell let them all GO using the “Stand your Ground Law”. Both events happened Hours apart but Campbell decided to see it as one Event instead of Two. He could have and SHOULD have Charged them ALL but chose not to charge any of them. I personally think he didn’t want to deal with the whole mess. I will never forget that.
Little Flower
Try to keep up, Campbell is a buffoon. Now you know.
You are conflating and not so subtly your distaste for Porter. Perhaps you could sign up to be a volunteer on her opponent’s campaign.
Weed – It’s not an either/or request. If Jack Porter gave Tallahassee Reports her opinion regarding the job performance of both Jack Campbell and Monique Worrell, that would be beneficial to the voters.
For instance, perhaps, Porter thinks Worrell was doing a better job than Campbell is doing because Campbell is not as lenient as Worrell and he is too tough on those charged with crimes. Perhaps, she thinks something else.
I would like Tallahassee Reports to get on record, Porter’s position on this.
DeSantis definitely acts like a dictator. He is an extreme right wing bully who pays no attention to the law. His influence among small minded bigots has already caused chaos. Worrel is the other extreme!!! Releasing a violent child molestor who proceeds to shoot two police officers is beyond idiotic. Both should be out of office. This shouldn’t be a political left or right thing!
Little Flower
I believe it would be more beneficial to know how Commissioner Porter stands regarding the state attorney who serves in her own District. Perhaps you should include Commissioner Matlow in that survey as well.
Maybe she can get a job over in Sarasota at the circus.
I hear they’re hiring clowns.
Good job, Governor!
All one has to do is listen to her hate-filled, racist, and warped ideological rant about this to know that the Governor made the right decision.
… bye Felicia
Fascism is as fascism does. That’s why it appeals to stupid people.
According to news reports, Daton Viel, a man with an extensive criminal history, was out on the streets awaiting trial for raping a girl who was walking to school. He was out on the streets because Worrell’s Office did not request a pre-trial hold. This is when he shot two police officers in the face.
DeSantis says he removed Worrell from Office for dereliction of duty to protect the public. Worrell says that she pledged to hold law enforcement officers accountable and that she has done so. And that she “will continue to protect the rights of the disenfranchised”.
I would really like to know who Jack Porter supports in this controversy – DeSantis or Worrell? Tallahassee Reports, please ask Jack Porter to go on record with her position on this. Voters have a right to know since she has been speaking about the funding and staffing of the TPD.
Several State Attorney’s, District Attorney’s and even Judge’s needs to be removed.
This is a well written article from the Democratic/Leftist point of view. Missing from the sum total of what likely caused Desantis’ Office to act on Worrell is Daton Viel, soon after his soft on crime release killed 2 Adults and one 8 year old girl (which is very likely what caused/forced the Office of The Govornor to take action against Worrell).
Other than that it is an excellent and well wtitten Desantis Bad/Worrell, Nikki Fried, Debbie Blabbermouth-Shultz, ect….ect….ect good article.
Good Riddance!!! Kudos to the Best Governor in America!!
I guess she can stand in her living room and not be quiet, as long as she keeps the door closed, she probably won’t bother anyone.
Desantis needs to do more of this kind of stuff and less campaigning for President.