Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Michael MolineDecember 6, 2018

Lawyers for the Florida Senate and federal government have failed to work out an agreement regarding a speeded-up appeal of the Senate’s sovereign immunity objection to a sexual harassment complaint by Rachel Perrin Rogers. In a document filed with Senior U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle, attorneys said they were ready for the judge to decide […]

Michael MolineDecember 5, 2018

A gag order has been issued in the sexual harassment case brought against the Florida Senate by legislative aide Rachel Perrin Rogers, blocking attorneys and others from discussing the matter with the press. That’s according to Katie Betta, spokeswoman for the Senate, who said she was barred from even providing a copy of the order. “I am sorry, but pursuant […]

Michael MolineNovember 30, 2018

Attorneys for the Florida Senate and federal government agreed Friday to seek an expedited trip to a federal appeals court regarding its sovereign immunity defense against a legislative aide’s sexual harassment claim. That might ameliorate what an attorney for the chamber called the “distinct, irreparable harm” to its dignity as a legislative body forced to […]

Danny McAuliffeNovember 27, 2018

Among the crop of early bills filed ahead of the 2019 Legislative Session is a push to prevent Floridians from talking and texting while operating a vehicle. State Sen. Wilton Simpson, a Trilby Republican, earlier this month filed legislation (SB 76) that would ban the use of handheld communications while driving. In the House, Boca […]

Staff ReportsOctober 16, 2018

A federal judge has set a hearing for next Tuesday in the state Senate‘s lawsuit to put an end to an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) investigation into a top aide’s sexual harassment and retaliation claims. Rachel Perrin Rogers, chief assistant to Senate Republican Leader and future Senate President Wilton Simpson, says former Sen. Jack Latvala repeatedly groped her and made unwelcome comments about […]

Lloyd DunkelbergerSeptember 30, 2018

While the nation was fixated on the drama surrounding Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court, Floridians were reminded this week that they have their own Supreme Court controversy in triplicate. Gov. Rick Scott reasserted his claim in court that he has the power, before he leaves office in January, to appoint replacements for […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 21, 2017

Sen. Jack Latvala is no longer a factor in Tallahassee; his resignation Wednesday sealed that, ending what accusers in two separate independent reports called “decades” of sexual harassment and quid pro quo coercion. However, Jacksonville politics saw prominent players on both sides of the Latvala scandal – and those players will have to deal with each other […]

Ana CeballosDecember 20, 2017

UPDATE – JACK LATVLA HAS RESIGNED. That story is here. Updates before the resignation: — A second investigation into sexual harassment claims against Jack Latvala, prompted by a POLITICO Florida story, has turned up a witness who bolsters an allegation that the senator would offer to trade sex for favorable votes on legislation. That story is developing. […]

Jim RosicaDecember 20, 2017

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 […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 19, 2017

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 […]

Tag: Rachel Perrin Rogers

No deal between Florida Senate, feds in Rachel Perrin Rogers case

Gag order issued in Rachel Perrin Rogers matter

No ruling in Rachel Perrin Rogers case before Monday

Fight to stop behind-the-wheel cellphone use will look different in 2019

State Senate now suing to stop federal harassment probe

Forget Brett Kavanaugh; Florida facing its own ‘Supreme’ drama — in triplicate

‘Family is everything’: Will Jack Latvala fallout affect Jacksonville politics?

Jack Latvala sexual harassment probe could lead to criminal charges

Attorney: Jack Latvala was blindsided by bribery allegation

Bombshell charges abound in Jack Latvala report