Gov. Ron DeSantis has suspended another elected prosecutor. This time it’s Monique Worrell of Florida’s Ninth Judicial Circuit, in Orange and Osceola counties, a Democrat who was elected in November 2020 and is the second African American to hold the position.
The Republican governor, who interrupted his presidential campaign to visit Tallahassee for the announcement, alleged that Worrell has been lax in charging decisions against violent offenders. She has been “clearly and fundamentally derelict so as to constitute neglect of duty and incompetence,” he said during a news conference.
“Prosecutors do have a certain amount of discretion about which cases to bring and which not. But what this state’s attorney has done is abuse that discretion and has effectively nullified certain laws in the state of Florida,” DeSantis added. “That breaches her duties that she owes to the people of Florida under our state Constitution and provides the basis for this suspension.”
Worrell, during a news conference outside her old office in downtown Orlando, asserted that DeSantis saw her suspension as a way to bolster his quest for the GOP presidential nomination, which has been flagging of late.
“This is a political hit job. It is nothing less than that. And it should be seen for exactly what it is,” Worrell said.
An investigator with her office called her this morning, “reading me a notification from the governor that I had been suspended and telling me not to return to the office,” Worrell said. Her lawyers are reviewing the governor’s suspension order and considering her options. Two of her top aides were fired, including one in charge of police corruption, she added.
Worrell plans to seek reelection next year, she said.
The development came just over a year after the Republican governor suspended the twice-elected Democratic prosecutor last Aug. 4 for alleged “neglect of duty” and “incompetence” arising from Andrew Warren’s signing of a pledge not to prosecute alleged crimes arising from provision of abortion or transgender care.
A federal judge in Tallahassee later ruled that Warren never imposed any blanket nonprosecution policies and that DeSantis acted for his own “political benefit” against a progressive prosecutor preparatory to the governor’s presidential bid. However, the judge ruled he was powerless to reinstate Warren. That said, the judge stated that “the record includes not a hint of misconduct by Mr. Warren.”
Warren appealed that ruling to the Florida Supreme Court, which turned him away on June 22, and to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, where his case remains pending.
‘Fight back’
During a video conference call, Warren advised Worrell to “fight back.”
“This is a dark day for democracy in the Sunshine State,” Warren said, adding that it came one day after DeSantis shook up his presidential campaign again, firing its manager and installing James Uthmeier, his chief aide in the governor’s office..
“This is another unconstitutional attack on democracy by a small, scared man who is desperate to save his presidential campaign. He wants to be a bully but he’s actually a coward who’s repeatedly violated the rule of law and the will of the voters to cover up his own weakness,” Warren said.
DeSantis named Circuit Judge Andrew Bain to fill the vacancy. He’s a former prosecutor in the same judicial circuit. The Florida Senate must vote on Worrell’s future in the job.
He bought into the governor’s story. “Sadly, instead of protecting the righteous from the unjust, the state’s attorney’s office has allowed lawlessness to take root in our community,” Bain, also African American, said during the news conference.
“My goals as state’s attorney are to restore order, restore faith in the law, restore public trust, restore our relationships with our justice partners in law enforcement, and to create lasting relationships with local service agencies and nonprofits that are here to help serve our community,” he added.
DeSantis’ case
In an executive order, DeSantis complained that Worrell’s office has been undercharging violent offenses and putting the community at risk.
“Worrell has authorized or allowed practices or policies that have systematically permitted violent offenders, drug traffickers, serious-juvenile offenders, and pedophiles to evade incarceration, when otherwise warranted under Florida law,” the order reads.
“These practices or policies include non-filing or dropping meritorious charges or declining to allege otherwise provable facts to avoid triggering applicable lengthy sentences, minimum mandatory sentences, or other sentencing enhancements, especially for offenders under the age of 25, except in the most extreme cases.”
The document cites low rates of mandatory sentences for gun crimes including robbery and carjacking plus drug trafficking from the Ninth Circuit and alleges Worrell has also gone easy on child pornography.
Attached to the order is a report from the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice indicating that the Ninth Circuit led the state in dropped felony charges against juveniles at 42% and dropped gun charges at 29%.
Flanked Wednesday by Attorney General Ashley Moody and Central Florida sheriffs, DeSantis cited cases in which he said dangerous suspects were allowed to go free only to commit violent crimes.
They included Lorenzo Larry, who was 17 when he allegedly shot and killed his pregnant girlfriend in October 2022 while free following his arrest that May on weapons charges. “Worrell’s office didn’t act on any of these charges until after he killed his girlfriend and their unborn child,” the governor said.
He also raised Daton Viel, killed by a SWAT team after he allegedly shot two University of Central Florida police officers while on bond on charges he sexually assaulted a child. The Fraternal Order of Police argued on Facebook that Worrell should have done more to lock him up but she noted that the court released him, not her.
‘Great guy’
Worrell argued that case outcomes reflect efforts by the many participants in the criminal justice system, including law enforcement and the courts. Moreover, her constituents elected her to divert especially youthful offenders from jail when appropriate, she said.
She noted that she and her aides have lost their paychecks and health insurance now.
“My children have to deal with this the day before school starts. That is evil. It is evil. There is no justice in what’s being done. And even from the people who are celebrating the fact that I am removed, if there is any humanity in you at all you should know that this is bigger than just me. There is a family who is being harmed today because of political attacks. This is a political hit job. It is nothing less than that. And it should be seen for exactly what it is.”
She called her replacement a “great guy” and stressed, “I’m not going to take any hits against him. This is the work of the governor.”
Reaction
Elected Democrats lamented the move.
“We saw this coming from a mile away – with his presidential campaign up in flames, wanna-be dictator Gov. Ron DeSantis is taking a page out of his tired playbook by unconstitutionally suspending a duly elected state attorney to breathe life back into his tired conservative persona,” U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost said in a written statement.
“State Attorney Worrell is a duly elected public servant who has done her job. The people of Orange County see this fraud suspension for what it is and continue to offer her our support as she fights this overreach of power. We will not stand for this blatant abuse of power and fascism in our state,” Frost added.
“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,” state House member Anna Eskamani of Orange County said.
“Her removal is a complete slap in the face to Orange and Osceola County residents and another example of Gov. DeSantis eroding our local control and democracy. This politically motivated action by the governor in a predominantly democratic part of the state should alarm everyone. DeSantis is extreme, unfit to serve, and must be held accountable.”
“By removing Monique Worrell without just cause, the governor has effectively silenced the voices of Circuit 9 residents who saw in her a champion of justice, equality, and fairness,” said state Rep. Michele Rayner-Goolsby, representing parts of Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, said. ““I urge the residents of Circuit 9 to express their discontent and demand accountability from their elected officials. It is crucial that we stand united against such abuses of power and defend the principles of democracy that make our state and our nation strong.”
“While the governor wants you to believe his actions are predicated on promoting public safety, the truth is that he removed SA Worrell as a desperate political stunt,” Miriam Krinsky, executive director of the progressive Fair and Just Prosecution, said in a written statement.
“The governor has now suspended two duly elected prosecutors from office, demonstrating a pattern of complete disregard for Floridians’ right to local control and an eagerness to throw anyone who doesn’t agree with him under the bus just to score political points. He cannot claim to be a champion for freedom while eviscerating the freedom of communities to choose their local leaders. These craven power grabs are an affront to democracy, and we are proud to stand with SA Worrell against this outrageous overreach,” she added.
–Michael Moline, Florida Phoenix
Shelly says
And you had to mention she was black, why? Yet Liberals wonder why there’s racism. Smh
Steve says
Another See you in Court move by the failure of a Governor Ron DUHSantis. Watching his Political career implode is glorious
Tony Mack says
If you are an elected Democratic member of the Florida State legislature — your days are numbered. Actually, if you are a registered Democrat in our state — our days are numbered as well. Think Germany in the Thirties!
Cid says
Because she did not do her job. Her race and political affiliation are irrelevant!!! Quit trying to infer that it’s because she is a black Democrat.
Jackson says
Mini Mussolini strikes again. Have you ever seen a more racist sop in your life?
Not every case is prosecuted. Prosecutors decide which cases to prosecute. That is part of the job. Removing a prosecutor because she doesn’t follow your dictates speaks of weaponization that Republicans seem to abhor.
I have the feeling that he will be suspending his campaign next. From what I understand he’s lost support of one major donor and I hope there are more to follow. He’s had to fire/layoff 1/3 of his campaign staff as well. He seems to have no agenda but to battle the”Woke”. I haven’t heard him say what exactly what he wants to accomplish as president. Nothing about gun control, environmental concerns, poverty, healthcare, education, racial injustice- which are key issues for me. He is more worried about Mickey Mouse and drag Queens.
The Dictator says
Could you imagine the outcry if a Dem governor did this to a judge, in a red county, elected by a majority?
I’m rally over this BS. DeSantis is unhinged and has no business being a governor or a POTUS candidate. I’m so sick of the dictator-like atmosphere he’s creating here.
Anything else I want to say would get me banned. He’s a disgrace, an embarrassment, a wannabe Orban, and his anti-woke BS is only hurting and not helping.
It kills me what happened to the party that elected my great uncle as POTUS but then again, when he was elected, the evangelicals, Christian nationalists, and white supremacists didn’t own the party. The party very much sounded like the Dem party of today. The overtaking and ruining happened later during the Regan era (started during Ford). The Republican Party, as far as I’m concerned is Taliban-like terrorist group and has no business making any decisions in a constitutional republic.
Final note, SCOTUS is corrupt. They need to stop using statements from the 1600s to justify decisions 400 years later in 2023. SCOTUS and M4L, two unhinged terror orgs bought and paid for by Leonard Leo, Harlen Crowe, and the anti-American ADF.
James says
DeSantis continues to prove to the public he isn’t fit to hold any political office. Keep it up Ron, your ratings continue to drop. You are hanging on a shoe string that Trump either drops out of the race because he is arrested.
Me says
Time for a class action law suit against DeathSantis.
Tom D Hutson says
State Attorney Worrell Ousted
This move by our POWER-HUNGRY Commander in Chief of HIS Personal Florida State Guard/Militia, wannabe DICTATOR, wannabe President came as no surprise!
It should not be a surprise for anyone in Florida to believe his MINION cadre of “KISS UPS” in Tallahassee will do anything but support his action. Some of them are following him so close, that if he stops suddenly, they will end up with a broken nose. This includes his MINIONS on the Florida Supreme Court who are allowing this power-hungry activity to continue! BUT then “justice” is blind in Florida as are the VOTES of the Florida residents.
So, this is his way of putting the Republican that lost to Worrell in office against the wishes of the Florida voters. Second time around for his Majesty and his minions to supplant the wishes of voters.
Good things are coming, Florida Residents can correct this POWER- HUNGRY “WANNABE “problem by replacing his MINION “KISS UPS” during the 2024 elections. Until then, these MINION “KISS UPS” need to keep up their practice of bowing down for his Majesty, or they just might upset him and cause him to throw a temper tantrum.
Maureen Hutson says
Another way for the Governor to circumvent the voters of Florida to further his personal agenda!
Nephew Of Uncle Sam says
DuhSatan at it again empowered by Renner and Hutson, Vote smart next time folks.
richard says
This is just another political move from wannabee-Duce, Ronnie Dee. He sits and plans retaliatory moves and anything else he can think of to revive his dying presidential campaign. He is ruthless. We can only hope the electorate sees his political opportunism and innate authoritarianism for what they really are, and cast him to political irrelevance and oblivion at the polls, which we ALL must flock to — in droves. HE is NOT OUR leader.
Deborah Coffey says
Completely political and racist…duh. Monique Worrell didn’t let Daton Viel out on a bail; a JUDGE did that. What JUDGE? I’ve been Googling for an hour and can’t find out.
For Real says
The Republican party sure knows how to pick losers to run for President, with the exception of a few. DeSantis and Trump top the cake of losers for their party, which is a sure win for the Democrats in 2024. Keep it up the more DeSantis does the closer the Republican party will lose.
Brian says
Good riddance. Worrell is just another left-wing “prosecutor” who molly-coddles criminals. Take for example the scumbag Datin Veil, who shot the two Orlando police officers who pulled him over. Thank God they are expected to make a complete recovery. This dirtbag had a rap sheet of violence dating back years, and was OUT ON BOND after raping a FOURTEEN YEAR OLD GIRL. And how about Keith Moses, the trash who killed three people including TV news journalist Dylan Lyons. Worrell is a female replica of Alvin Bragg, the New York State Attorney who loves to paint criminals as the victim. Like the T-shirts say – don’t New York my Florida.
Ban the GOP says
Not surprising Hitler did the same stuff. repubs claim they are not facist but support facist leaders and facist policies. The only one that is incompetent here is racist ron. Go fly your swatika flags proudly cause today democracy failed.
Tired of it. says
Because if she was white he wouldn’t have done. Duh!
Tired of it says
And what exactly do any of those have to do with Worrell? Which criminals has she “molly-coddles”? Do you have any actual facts or are you merely repeating the Republican misinformation? And if we can talk ethics for a minute, how about those Supreme Court judges and their rich Republicans friends paying their way?
Edith Campins says
So, if I understand his actions correctly, De Santis wants to be the one who decides what punishments the accused deserve…not the judges, not the law, the dictator himself.
JEK says
Ron Strikes Again!!!
Laurel says
Shelly: As a NPA, I have observed that liberals do not wonder why there is racism. Your statement is a twist on reality. Florida Phoenix (not “you”) “…had to mention she was black…” because DeSantis is pushing for White *Christian* Nationalism. She’s black, a woman, and a Democrat. He killed three birds with one, absurd, bigoted stone. Those three realities do not fit into DeSantis’ idea of *freedom.*
Change the channel, they’re lying to you.
Laurel says
Cid: You are naive. Her race, gender and political affiliation are exactly why DeSantis did what he did. There is no coincidence there.
Laurel says
DeSantis is pushing climate denial in classroom, aimed at the youngest kids at their most impressional age. https://www.politico.com/news/2023/08/09/in-desantis-florida-schools-get-ok-for-climate-denial-videos-ee-00109466
Of course, by the time these kids figure out they were lied to…
DP says
And she didn’t fight or pursue a no bail status. Lets not make this about racism, as its about accountability. It’s a cop out, for her blame the judge on the case’s that were cited. Judge’s will respond, and make a determination of bail or remandation of perpetrators, based on recommendations from prosecutor’s. This isn’t the first time she’s failed in her duties.
Dennis C Rathsam says
Can U believe it Praise the Lord CID…U have a brain!
David Schaefer says
Shelly that’s B.S. you sound like tRUMP. Just remember she does not set any Bail the judge does….
Jane Gentile-Youd says
Hmmmm. How come our tw0-faced gov let Joe Mullins stay in office after receiving tons of proof from many constituents how he abused not only abused the public -he lied officially about his sources of income on forms Al Hadeed paid an outside attorney YOUR tax money to prepare for Joe ! ( I got the bills and proof of payments from the Court) Mullins took money from the Cares Act for his Georgia business registered in his phony address in Bunnell but no no no – the Gov just let him go on and on and on.
Whether this State Attorney is guilty or not of the allegations against her it is beyond sickening how he uses his power to override the voters and enjoys his role as dictator.
He makes me sick. But hey, I am past the child bearing age and I am a white female so I guess I pass ‘inspection’ ( unless being of the Jewish faith will cost me points).
Tony Mack says
Nonsense. She was fired because she dared to stand up to DeSantis. In your estimation, if any elected Democrat dares to oppose him, you would be okay with their firing. She was elected by the people. That should be enough. You people won’t be happy until you obliterate all Democrats from the state. And I dare say you wouldn’t know an actual “liberal” if you met one. You know — the “liberals” you hate so much — the ones who enacted the Social Security, the Medicare, the VA Medicaid you receive. You won’t be happy until all Democrats in the state are not allowed to vote. How pathetic!
Atwp says
Pre communist Florida. Anti African American Ron Desantis. I’m sure he has lost all African votes or I hope so. It a shame you run for President and you bight your self in the butt, which is almost impossible he find ways of just killing his hopes of being President.
Ed says
Governor DeSantis stated that she has chosen to prosecute certain crimes. Her office did not act to charge a teenager who had been arrested for several gun crimes, and who later shot and killed his pregnant girlfriend in 2022. Police union officials have questioned how her office has handled criminal cases. He also highlighted the shooting of two Orlando police officers by a man on probation.
State attorney Worrell has pointed to the high rates of incarceration saying “crime still happens despite of that” ( doesn’t sound like strong on crime to me)
She is accused of not charging serious juvenile offenders as adults avoiding mandatory minimum sentences for drug trafficking.
Let it play out and the legal system will determine if this is a racial or politically motivated suspension. When the dust settles and all the facts come out, I’m willing to admit the truth, will you?
Obviously this is a serious matter with ramifications.
Pogo says
@The Dishonorable Ron “The Throat Slitter” Disaster
The whole world is watching.
Jonathan says
DeSantis is a biggest racists along with his side kick in Texas, they are both a like and it is time people vote against these kind of people in public offices.
You have to feel sorry for any children that are raised by someone that is so racists. You give a little man power and this is what you get.
He is becoming a national embarrishment to the State of Forida.
Jonathan says
He is a little man trying to act like he knows it all and he is proving to the country he is worse then any other governor the State of Florida ever had. His days in politics is over and he can only blame himself.
Charlie says
So now Dictator DeSantis fires someone that the citizens voted into office. Doesn’t it make you wonder who does he think he is, and more importantly there must be a law not allow this and it needs to go to a higher court to decide.
DeSantis is not King of Florida and the citizens still have legal rights. We want our votes to count and he needs to be legally stopped.
He will never get elected again for anything and his actions proves the reasons why.
Benjamin W Hogarth says
“To minimize improper disruptions of the democratic process and to ensure that the rights of the suspended officer and the public are not destroyed by despotic or demagogic misuse of the power of suspension, it is important that the senate provide a prompt and effective review of the Governor’s action with scrupulous regard for the essential requirements of due process without becoming bogged down in unessential procedural technicalities and delays.”
– Executive Suspension and Removal of Public Officers Under the 1968 Florida Constitution (June 1971)
William M. Barr and Frederick B. Karl
It would seem, Cid, that your wannabe dictator-in-chief managed to skirt the law on the first state attorneys’ suspension from Hillsborough (Warren), while being totally rebuked by a federal judge and the Florida Supreme Court for his actions. No doubt that this new suspension will fall under the same pretense of despotism.
You can spew all the rhetorical vitriol about “not doing her job” but there is absolutely no question that DeSantis’ actions here are 100% politically motivated. We could debate the racial aspect due to the circumstances, but his political machinations are beyond obvious. These actions, and their timing, are not made by a strong executive looking out for the best interests of the public, but rather a desperate and weak little man, praying for a political miracle for his tanking popularity.
If Florida respected ANY rule of law, there would be a Senate hearing that would rebuke the suspension, and reinstate the dually elected officer. Sadly, I doubt if there will even be a hearing because due process (even for a potential kangaroo court) seems lost on this legislature as well.
Ban the gop says
Republicans dont admit the truth just ask one if the election was stolen, they are gullible idiots who support racist politicians and will gladly use the faux news talking points to defend their facist agenda.
They will sabatoge anyone and never admit to being wrong. Don’t have to dig very deep to see today’s Republicans are straight up racist criminals that could care less about our institutions or our futures. Racist ron is a terrible corrupt human being and should be in prison like your orange Jesus. Just like the last elected Democrat he removed right? Courts found no wrongdoing but didn’t have the power to reinstate him. So racist ron still got his way even though it was a total abuse of power and criminal cause guess what they stole the state and federal Supreme Court so they can always just appeal back to their buddies for a more favorable outcome. This is called corruption.
Land of no turn signals says says
Plenty of proof why she was shit canned but black is not one of them.
Sherry says
@dp. . . Not to confuse you with actual facts:
The facts about crime under Worrell
DeSantis claims he’s suspending Worrell over “dereliction of duty” on crime. In his executive order, he accuses Worrell’s office of allowing “practices or policies that have systematically permitted violent offenders, drug traffickers, serious-juvenile offenders, and pedophiles to evade incarceration.” Publicly available data, however, challenge this narrative.
Data from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement shows that between 2020 and 2021, the crime rate per 100,000 residents dropped by nearly 10% in Florida’s 9th Judicial Circuit. This number is also 52% lower than twelve years ago. Murders, for example, dropped by roughly 13% between 2021 and 2020.
County-level data from Orange and Osceola counties – the two counties that make up the 9th Judicial Circuit – also reflect this trend. Orange County saw a drop of 9% in the overall crime rate per 100,000 between 2020 and 2021. Meanwhile, in Osceola County, the crime rate declined by 11% during that same time period.
At the moment, county crime data is not available for 2022 and 2023. But just this week, the police chief of Orlando, which is the largest city in Orange County, shared that so far in 2023 violent crime is down 10% compared to last year. Shootings are also down 30% from the year prior, Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith told Spectrum News 13.
Back in March, Smith also reported that there was an 8% decrease in violent crime between September 2022 and February 2023 compared to the same period a year prior. The number of shootings in the city also dropped by 12% during that same time frame.
Federal judge ruled DeSantis’ actions violate Florida constitution
This is not the first time DeSantis has replaced an elected Democratic state’s attorney with a Republican ally. In August 2022, DeSantis “removed Andrew H. Warren, the top prosecutor in Tampa, who had signed a statement along with 90 other elected prosecutors across the country vowing not to prosecute people who seek or provide abortions.”
Warren sued, alleging that DeSantis’ actions were illegal. The federal judge who presided over the case, Robert Hinkle, found:
Under the Florida Constitution, a governor cannot properly suspend a state attorney just for implementing a reform-prosecutor agenda or based on general dissatisfaction with the state attorney’s performance—for being a reform prosecutor rather than a law-and-order prosecutor. It is not surprising that in this litigation, the Governor has not acknowledged that this was a factor in the suspension. But it plainly was.
Tom D Hutson says
DeSantis Ousts State Attorney
This is not about RACISM INVOLVING the elected States Attorney doing her or his job! This is simply a “LOOK at ME” effort by this little Mussolini Commander in Chief of his personal State Guard/Militia/State Police! This little man is trying to upstage his “Surrogate Daddy, Mentor/Idol’ on how tough he is. This little man has a WANNABE President Syndrome; like his idol, he needs to look bad.
Let’s put the real problem in perspective! This little Mussolini has no “REAL POWER or AUTHORITY” without the assistance of his WOOSEY MINIONS in the State Senate! These MINIONS quiver in their little skivvies thinking about ever voting against anything this little man wants. Think about this!! Florida VOTERS elected these “WOOSEY MINIONS” and this LITTLE MUSSOLINI/WANNABE PRESIDENT. Watch your VOTES in 2024, you might get what you ask for!
As for our Judicial System, another joke! A Federal Judge and the Florida Supreme Court rebuked this Little Man’s action, BUT nothing will be done until it reaches another Appeals Judge; REALLY??? Think about this!!! THIS LITTLE MUSSOLINI WANNABE PRESIDENT HAS MORE POWER THAN A FEDERAL COURT??? REALLY!! WE can only hope for one that is not just another MINION!! One that will force our Little Mussolini and WOOSEY State Senate to follow the State of Florida Constitution.
GOOD LUCK TO US ALL!
Bob b says
She failed to do her job case closed
Boobycuse says
She failed to do her job case closed
richard says
And you come by this assertion, how?
The Romans had a phrase for this: Ipse Dixit, it is so because he says it is so.
Proof by assertion is no proof at all — just opinion.
And everyone is entitled to an opinion –still, and even in Florida.
Laurel says
Richard: The far right’s attitude on proof:
Proof? We don’t need no stickin’ proof!
…alternate facts…
…alternate electors…
Alternate reality.
It’s all good.
The Geode says
Where was all this “race” and “gender” bluster when he DID THE SAME THING to Andrew Worrell? If I’m not mistaken (I’m not), he is WHITE and MALE. Am I the ONLY person who pays attention to all the news and not just whatever my favorite rag or biased channel has to say? Judging by these comments, you people don’t have a clue…
Sondra L Hebscher says
THANKS for real facts Sherry! He needs to be fenced in somewhere like 1/2 the members of that party who will not speak the truth.