Florida appointee child sexual abuse case
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Florida governor suspends former ally over child sexual abuse charges
Caruso most recently represented Florida's 87th house district, a seat including Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort that was won by Democrat Emily Gregory in an upset March election.
Court documents said the alleged victim is a male relative of Caruso under the age of 12 who was molested multiple times during 2024 and 2025 during holidays and family trips, including a Caribbean cruise.
Caruso coached little league baseball for decades and volunteered with the boy scouts.
“Early this morning, with substantial assistance from FDLE [Florida department of law enforcement] and local law enforcement, Palm Beach County Clerk of Court Michael Caruso was arrested on charges related to child sexual abuse,”
DeSantis suggests ally appointed to Palm Beach post could face death penalty over child sex abuse charges
The victim detailed the alleged abuse to investigators in Orange County.
One allegation involved a seven-day Royal Caribbean cruise in which Caruso allegedly separated the victim from his family and engaged in inappropriate acts.
DeSantis said he signed the death penalty law for child abusers into law.
“I’m proud that I signed that into law, and I’m proud that we have very strong penalties for people that abuse children.”
DeSantis comments on child sex abuse charges against Palm Beach appointee
DeSantis said Florida was the first state to reintroduce the death penalty for pedophiles and that he signed that law
The victim detailed the alleged abuse to investigators in Orange County, according to local media reports
Caruso faces charges of kidnapping, lewd or lascivious molestation, lewd or lascivious exhibition, luring or enticing a child, and child abuse causing mental injury
“I’m proud that I signed that into law, and I’m proud that we have very strong penalties for people that abuse children.”