Florida governor Ron DeSantis on Wednesday issued an executive order to suspend state attorney Monique Worrell for “dereliction of duty” on crime.
A news release from the governor’s office explains: “Worrell’s practices and policies have too often allowed violent criminals to escape the full consequences of their criminal conduct, thereby endangering the innocent civilians of Orange and Osceola counties.”
“It is my duty as Governor to ensure that the laws enacted by our duly elected Legislature are followed,” DeSantis said. “The people of Central Florida deserve to have a State Attorney who will seek justice in accordance with the law instead of allowing violent criminals to roam the streets and find new victims.”
The governor appointed former judge Andrew Bain to serve as state attorney during Worrell’s suspension.
“We are fortunate to have a Governor committed to the rule of law and holding officials — especially those elected to protect the public — accountable for not doing the jobs they swore an oath to do,” Florida attorney general Ashley Moody said. “Ms. Worrell abdicated her responsibility as the circuit’s top prosecutor and her actions undermine the safety and security of our state and Floridians.”
The governor’s office says in the news release that he has the authority to suspend a state officer under Article IV, Section 7 of the Florida Constitution. By that provision, the governor can suspend from office a county officer for “malfeasance, misfeasance, neglect of duty, drunkenness, incompetence, permanent inability to perform official duties, or commission of a felony, and may fill the office by appointment for the period of suspension.” At any time before removal, the governor may reinstate the suspended officer.
The Florida Senate ultimately hears the case against the prosecutor, after which it can decide to remove or reinstate the official.
DeSantis previously suspended Hillsborough County state attorney Andrew Warren in August, after the prosecutor pledged not to enforce a number of state laws, including a 15-week abortion ban and prohibitions on sex changes for minors.
Warren challenged his suspension in a lawsuit earlier this year, but the Florida Supreme Court dismissed the case in June after finding there had been an “unreasonable delay” in filing the suit.