Jim Rosica
Update:
Jack Latvala resigned from the Senate Wednesday afternoon. In a resignation letter to Senate President Joe Negron, Latvala wrote: “I have never intentionally dishonored my family, my constituents or the Florida Senate.
“My political adversaries have latched onto this effort to rid our country of sexual harassment to try to rid the Florida Senate of me.”
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Sen. Jack Latvala posted on Facebook Tuesday night that he’s not going to let politics spoil Christmas.
Latvala, a Clearwater Republican, posted on his Facebook page a few hours after the release of findings from a outside investigation saying he likely had committed sexual harassment against a Senate staffer.
The report also recommended an allegation that Latvala had offered a quid pro quo of sex-for-votes to a female lobbyist “be immediately referred to law enforcement for further investigation.” He did not address any of the details in the report.
“The timing of the special master’s report tonight has created some special problems for me,” the 66-year-old senator wrote.
“I have a medical procedure scheduled for tomorrow/Thursday after which I have committed to go to Mississippi to see my stepdad and brother for the first time since my mother died this summer, then (I) will go be with my family for Christmas.
“If there is one thing that I have learned the last couple months, it’s the value of my family, so I am not going to let their holiday be consumed by politics,” he added.
“I will be back in Tallahassee on Dec. 26 and will meet with my legal and political team then to consider the future. I will not have any further comment until at least then.
“I appreciate the many gestures of support tonight more than you will ever know. Thank you for your friendship.”
The post generated almost 50 comments by 9 p.m.
For instance, Jason Steele, director of government affairs at Smith & Associates, commented, “My thoughts and prayers have been with you from the very beginning of this mess. I believe in you, and ultimately this will all work out for the best.”
And Betsy Sullivan Collins, a former Senate employee, wrote, “Jack, we have been friends for over 25 years. You have always been above reproach. Merry Christmas to you and your family. Thank you for all the good work you have done for the State of Florida.”
