Staff Reports
The capital area’s top prosecutor on Monday said a decision whether to press charges in the Jack Latvala investigation won’t come till next week at the earliest.
A spokesperson for State Attorney Jack Campbell said Friday a decision could have come as early as this week.
Campbell called Florida Politics Monday morning to say he was now “getting deeper” into the 90-page report.
“I am off the Fourth and taking off Thursday and Friday, so I can promise I will not offer an opinion before then,” he said.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has delivered its findings to Campbell, the chief elected prosecutor for the 2nd Judicial Circuit, which includes Tallahassee.
Latvala, a former state senator from Clearwater, was under investigation for months following complaints of sexual misconduct that led to his resignation from office in December.
Campbell previously said he would review the FDLE’s findings and decide whether to press criminal charges against Latvala, who first served in the Senate 1994-2002, then returned in 2010. He would have been term-limited this year.
Latvala has said that his “political adversaries have latched onto this effort to rid our country of sexual harassment to try to rid the Florida Senate of me.” He also admitted, however, that he “ … perhaps (had not) kept up with political correctness in my comments as well as I should have.”
A special master’s report released by the Senate found Latvala “on multiple occasions” offered to trade his vote for sex with a female lobbyist. Special Master Ronald V. Swanson recommended the sexual harassment allegations against the veteran lawmaker be investigated by criminal prosecutors.
Another investigation into sexual harassment claims against Latvala, prompted by a POLITICO Florida story, turned up a witness who bolsters an allegation that the senator would offer to trade sex for favorable votes on legislation.
Tallahassee attorney Steve Andrews, who represents Latvala, declined comment Monday.
Campbell, first elected in 2016 after serving as an assistant prosecutor for years, is a Democrat. Latvala is a Republican.
2 comments
Margie Franklin
July 3, 2018 at 8:56 am
Well I have a serious problem with people who suddenly switch out at the last minute.
These bogus stories just come popping up con eminently and there ain’t a shred of proof ole bubba was trying to squeeze into a damn booth at the local dive joint with some blonde bingo. Not a shred.
He is a national hero in my book.
The man has withstood so much abuse from the media.
Not even any proof like people who flew some call girls and boys, to Texas and or to the white house.
Get real !
Panos Agapitos
July 4, 2018 at 5:12 pm
If he had anything to do with Steve Christopoulos then lock him up.
Plato Academy has alleged test score questions.
Christopoulos family had alleged mafia ties.
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