Governor Ron DeSantis acted on Tuesday to suspend Michael Allen Caruso, the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller for Palm Beach County, after the Florida Department of Law Enforcement arrested him on five felony charges. The suspension takes effect immediately, barring Caruso from performing any official duties, receiving pay, or accessing office resources.
Charges and Allegations
According to the arrest warrant and a supporting affidavit filed by FDLE Special Agent Reuben Roach, Caruso faces felony counts of kidnapping, lewd or lascivious molestation, lewd or lascivious exhibition, luring or enticing a child, and child abuse causing mental injury. The alleged victim is Caruso’s grandson, a boy under age 12 who lives with his parents and younger brother in Orange County.
The affidavit states the child first disclosed the alleged incidents to his father in October 2025 after the father observed sexualized behavior between the siblings. The child later described alleged acts that occurred during a family fishing outing near a pond in late 2024, at a residence around Thanksgiving 2024, and during a seven‑day Royal Caribbean cruise on the Icon of the Seas that departed Port Miami in late August 2025.
Details from the Investigation
Investigators say Caruso isolated the child on the cruise under the pretext of getting ice cream, after which the boy reported sexual contact and a shared shower. Family members noted that Caruso returned from the cruise wearing different clothing after an extended absence.
The boy’s parents confronted Caruso in December 2025 and again in February 2026. Recorded conversations show Caruso acknowledging the fishing trip and the cruise isolation but denying any sexual conduct. He also warned that reporting the claims would lead to his arrest and said, “there won’t be any of me left.”
The affidavit notes the child has been receiving therapeutic services since about April 2026 for trauma‑related responses. Probable cause for the charges was found based on the child’s disclosures, parental observations, and Caruso’s own statements.
Governor’s Executive Order
In the executive order, DeSantis cited Article IV of the Florida Constitution, which authorizes the governor to suspend a county officer for the commission of a felony. The order declares that Caruso’s alleged actions, as detailed in the arrest documents, constitute the commission of a felony and therefore justify immediate suspension.
The order also directs FDLE to assist with the transition, ensuring that no files, records, or electronic devices are removed from the clerk’s office. The suspension remains in effect until a further executive order or as otherwise provided by law. The criminal case is pending in the Ninth Judicial Circuit in Orange County.
Implications for Local Government
Caruso’s removal underscores the governor’s authority to intervene when a county official is accused of serious wrongdoing. It also highlights the constitutional safeguards that allow swift action to protect public trust and maintain the integrity of county operations.
Residents of Palm Beach County and the broader state will be watching the upcoming court proceedings closely, as the outcome may set precedent for how similar cases are handled in the future.
Original reporting: Tampa Free Press — read the source article.
