Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiDecember 1, 2017

Thursday evening saw Republican gubernatorial candidate Adam Putnam address around 400 people at a ranch deep on Jacksonville’s Westside. The speech was familiar, by and large, though a new phrasing crept in: a reference to “corruption and predation and harassment.” Putnam didn’t elaborate on those themes on the mic, even as his remarks came just hours […]

Ana CeballosNovember 30, 2017

While the state has paid $11 million to settle sexual harassment workplace disputes over 30 years, records released Thursday show it also settled nearly a dozen cases that resulted in a zero-dollar payout. Florida Politics requested documents from the state Department of Financial Services, which list 11 state workers — both men and women — […]

Scott PowersNovember 30, 2017

Contending that too much sexual abuse, assault, and harassment in Congress may be hidden forever by secret settlements with non-disclosure agreements, Republican U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis is leading a bipartisan effort to end such practices. “What does it say about the sincerity of Congress in combating harassment when members and staff can have taxpayers cover […]

Ana CeballosNovember 30, 2017

There were the unwelcome sexual comments about her clothes, breasts and legs. And there was the time that he ‘assaulted’ her in a state Capitol elevator, brushing the lower half of her breast and later, his hand attempting to reach her vagina, she said. In the three-page sexual harassment complaint filed with the Senate Rules […]

Ana CeballosNovember 30, 2017

The Florida Senate employee who sparked a Senate sexual harassment investigation against Sen. Jack Latvala called Senate President Joe Negron a “douchebag” during a text message exchange last Session with the Pinellas lawmaker. Rachel Perrin Rogers, a top aide to Republican Majority Leader Wilton Simpson, was texting Latvala when news broke in April about ousted […]

Ana CeballosNovember 29, 2017

Rachel Perrin Rogers, an aide to future Senate President Wilton Simpson, has publicly identified herself as one of the women accusing Sen. Jack Latvala of sexual harassment, according to a POLITICO Florida report. In doing so, a potential conflict of interest is raised in the Senate investigation into the claims because Perrin Rogers is married […]

Ana CeballosNovember 28, 2017

While the state Capitol in recent weeks has been beset by sex scandals, records show that the state has a 30-year history of settling sexual harassment claims, costing taxpayers more than $11 million. The state has agreed to resolve more than 300 claims with an overwhelming proportion taking place in the Department of Corrections, followed […]

Jim RosicaNovember 22, 2017

State Rep. Jay Fant, a Jacksonville Republican running for state Attorney General in 2018, says he will create a “Confidential Investigator and Ethics Officer” to deal with sexual harassment complaints if elected. Fant tweeted the plan on Wednesday. The new position would meet “confidentially” with those who claim harassment by a “public official.” Any information developed would be […]

Ana CeballosNovember 21, 2017

In one day, the Florida Democratic Party lost its two top leaders. Chair Stephen Bittel and Sally Boynton Brown, the state’s party president, submitted their resignation letters on Monday and the party accepted. “We are looking forward to getting back to the important work of turning Florida blue,” Johnna Cervone, the party’s spokesperson, said in […]

Ana CeballosNovember 21, 2017

House Speaker Richard Corcoran wants Congress to put an end to a “perverse hush fund” that has been used over the years to settle sexual harassment claims. The Land O’Lakes Republican sent a letter to House Speaker Paul Ryan on Monday in response to reports that the Office of Compliance has used $17 million from […]

Tag: sexual harassment

Adam Putnam on Jack Latvala charges: ‘If it’s true, he needs to go’

State settled 11 sexual harassment cases without payout agreement

Ron DeSantis seeks to end secret sex suit settlements in Congress

Sexual harassment complaint against Jack Latvala released

Text messages shed light on working relationship between Jack Latvala, accuser

Jack Latvala accuser outs herself, sets up potential conflict of interest in Senate probe

State settles $11M in sexual harassment claims over three decades

Jay Fant says he’ll create new position to handle harassment

With its top leaders gone, Florida Democratic Party’s focus turns to chair election

Richard Corcoran wants Congress to end its ‘perverse hush fund’

Florida politics had 11 questions before federal qualifying week. Here are the answers.