Ana Ceballos
A rules complaint was filed Wednesday against Sen. Jack Latvala, a Clearwater Republican who is under investigation by the Senate after six unnamed women accused him of sexually harassing and groping them.
Because the complaint is initially confidential, the details about what it pertains are unclear.
Republican Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto, who chairs the Rules Committee where the complaint was filed, acknowledged the complaint in an interview with Capitol News Service, but could provide additional information.
Benacquisto said she can’t release details about the complaint without Latvala giving her the green light.
Latvala told Florida Politics on Wednesday he had been trying to get ahold of Benacquisto for several hours, but she has not returned his calls.
“Incredible the Rules Chair would blame me for (the complaint’s) failure to be released, but not acknowledge its existence to me!” Latvala said.
Latvala said he only became aware of the complaint because a reporter called him at noon about it. The gubernatorial candidate has denied all allegations against him and has threatened to sue POLITICO over the report.
Senate President Joe Negron has launched an investigation into the report’s claims that detail Latvala sexually harassing and groping six women while he was in office.
The allegations, first reported by POLITICO Florida, have already cost him his Budget Chairmanship — at least while the investigation into the claims is ongoing.
