TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — According to an internal email acquired by The Associated Press, a Florida state attorney informed his staff that he could not legally assist his elected successor in taking over his position since Governor Ron DeSantis had already suspended the Democrat from office.
In a communication to workers on Monday, state attorney Andrew Bain contended that an executive order signed by DeSantis in 2023 suspending then-State Attorney Monique Worrell from office remains in force. After Worrell defeated him in last month’s election to recapture the top prosecutor’s job in the Orlando metro area, the governor appointed Bain to the 9th Judicial Circuit.
Bain wrote, “I do not yet feel I can assist her in that transition, even though I accept the election results and wish to do everything I can to ensure the Office is successful going forward.”
Worrell will start his new term on January 7, 2025. She is one of two Democratic state attorneys that were elected and removed from office by DeSantis.DeSantis claimed that by not pursuing mandatory minimum terms for gun crimes and failing to prosecute children, Worrell endangered her district in central Florida. She denied that his criticism was unfounded and motivated by politics.
Republicans across, including DeSantis, have questioned the actions of Democratic prosecutors.
“Worrell’s suspension must be resolved by either another executive order by DeSantis or a decision by the Florida Senate, which reviews the cases of elected officials suspended from office,” Bain stated in the email released with the AP.
“I don’t think I can legally help someone transition to someone whose lawful suspension was upheld by the Florida Supreme Court without one of these things,” Bain wrote. Unprecedented legal events are occurring right now, and there are no obvious solutions.
When the AP called and emailed Bain representatives, they did not answer. Bain’s message to staff seemed to be contradicted by a statement that was posted on the state attorney’s website on Monday.
According to a statement issued by the agency’s public information office, the state attorney is prepared and eager to guarantee a seamless transfer. The state attorney will leave office on January 6, 2025, when his tenure finishes. The tenure of Ms. Worrell will start on January 7, 2025. Enforcing the will of the people is the state attorney’s goal.
Worrell said that the executive order suspending Bain ended after the 2024 election and denounced her remarks as a breach of democratic values.
According to a statement from Worrell, the people’s decision cannot be overridden by an executive edict, a political ploy, or even a personal grievance. The very people this agency represents would be directly offended by any delay in the changeover process.
In response to additional AP questions, a DeSantis representative cited the statement issued by the state attorney’s public information office.
___ Kate Payne is a member of the Statehouse News Initiative’s Report for America/Associated Press corps.A nonprofit national service initiative called Report for America places reporters in local newsrooms to explore topics that aren’t often covered.
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