Florida appointee child sexual abuse case
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DeSantis suggests ally appointed to Palm Beach post could face death penalty over child sex abuse charges
One allegation involved a seven-day Royal Caribbean cruise in which Caruso allegedly separated the victim from his family and engaged in inappropriate acts.
The victim detailed the alleged abuse to investigators in Orange County.
DeSantis said Caruso was a clean vet and well regarded in the community at the time he was appointed.
“I’m proud that I signed that into law, and I’m proud that we have very strong penalties for people that abuse children.”
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.
The Miami Herald reported that Caruso's personal life was marked by ugly flare-ups and at least one previous allegation of sexually assaulting a child, documented in Palm Beach court records.
The Miami Herald reported that DeSantis appointed Caruso's wife, Tracy Stein Caruso, to the board of Palm Beach county's healthcare district and as chair of its housing and finance authority.
“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 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
DeSantis said Caruso would be in for a "world of hurt" if convicted
William Francis Silvia, 61, was executed by lethal injection in Florida on Tuesday for fatally shooting his estranged wife and wounding his mother-in-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.”