Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis suspends Orlando state attorney. He says she neglected her duties
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis suspends Orlando state attorney. He says she neglected her duties
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday suspended the top prosecutor in Orlando, saying she had neglected her duty to prosecute criminals.
It is my duty as Governor to ensure that the laws enacted by our duly elected Legislature are followed, DeSantis said during a news conference in Tallahassee announcing the suspension of State Attorney Monique Worrell of the 9th Judicial Circuit, which serves Orange and Osceola counties.
This is the second elected state attorney DeSantis has suspended in the past year. Last August he removed Andrew Warren, the Tampa area state attorney, from office, accusing him of neglect of duty and incompetence. Warren, who like Worrell is a Democrat, joined other prosecutors across the country in signing statements opposing criminal charges against abortion providers or women seeking abortions. He also said he wouldnt prosecute people for providing gender-affirming health care, and his offices policies didnt charge people with some minor crimes.
The governor appointed Andrew Bain, an Orange County judge, to replace Worrell. Bain previously served as assistant state attorney in Orlando.