Florida ethics panel to take up Jack Latvala case

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

The Florida Commission on Ethics is slated next week to consider a motion from a state lawyer to dismiss a long-running ethics case against former Sen. Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater.

The commission’s July 28 agenda includes the motion by attorney Elizabeth Miller, who serves as what is known as an advocate for the commission.

Latvala left office in 2017 after the release of a special master’s report about allegations he had sexually harassed Rachel Perrin Rogers, a former high-ranking Senate aide.

Latvala, who served as the powerful Senate appropriations chairman before his resignation, denied wrongdoing with the Senate aide but admitted he had an extramarital affair with former lobbyist Laura McLeod.

After receiving a complaint, the ethics commission launched a probe into the allegations in January 2018. The commission last year rejected a proposed settlement and referred the case to the Division of Administrative Hearings.

But Miller on June 30 asked an administrative law judge to drop the case against Latvala because Perrin Rogers and McLeod had refused to participate in the inquiry.

Miller’s request was granted, and the Division of Administrative Hearings case was closed, sending the issue back to the ethics commission.

Miller’s motion last week cited the same reasons for dropping the ethics commission case.

©2023 The News Service of Florida

You may also like

Tropical Storm Rafael forms, watches issued for parts of Florida

Tropical Storm Rafael could reach category two hurricane status just...

Talking Animals: veteran advocate delivers anatomy of a victorious, major animal rights campaign

Jodie Wiederkehr, Executive Director of Chicago Alliance for Animals ...

Fascist violence and the truth laid bare

Commemorative in Ocoee, FL marking racist election day violence in...

The 2024 Veganic Summit with Meg Kelly

Join Anni and Tanja to discuss organic gardening, farming and...

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'.

Follow us on Instagram

The Morning Show Tuesday
Player position: