Florida Lawmaker Indicted on Multiple Felony Charges

Florida Rep. Carolina Amesty Surrenders to Authorities Amid Felony Charges

Rep. Carolina Amesty, a Republican lawmaker from Florida, has surrendered to authorities at the Orange County Jail following her indictment on multiple felony charges. The charges include two counts of forgery, one count of illegally notarizing her own signature on documents, and one count of falsely certifying a signature as a notary. Each of these charges is a third-degree felony under Florida law, carrying potential penalties of up to five years in prison and $5,000 in fines. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office is listed as the arresting agency, according to Florida Politics.

Legal Troubles and Political Fallout

Amesty’s indictment comes after months of scrutiny, particularly related to her work with Central Christian University, a private school founded by her father, Juan Amesty. The State Attorney’s Office, led by Andrew Bain, confirmed that all charges against Amesty stem from her actions as a notary public. The investigation into her conduct was prompted by concerns raised by a citizen and further investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

In response to the charges, Amesty’s campaign released a statement calling the prosecution politically motivated, pointing to its timing just weeks before absentee ballots are distributed. Amesty expressed confidence in her eventual vindication and called for a speedy trial.

Background of the Investigation

The charges against Amesty are tied to her previous role as Vice President of Central Christian University. The allegations include notarizing a form listing an individual, Robert Shaffer, as an employee despite his claim that he did not work for the school. Amesty’s campaign maintains that Shaffer was employed by a K-12 school under the university’s business umbrella, with other employees corroborating this in affidavits. However, the State Attorney’s Office asserts that evidence shows Amesty knowingly notarized a document with a forged signature.

Amesty’s legal troubles intensified earlier this year when she resigned her notary public commission following an investigation by Governor Ron DeSantis’ office. The investigation was sparked by accusations that she had notarized a form without the signatory’s knowledge or consent.

Political Repercussions

Amesty, who was first elected to the Florida House in 2022, is currently seeking re-election in House District 45, a competitive district where both major political parties have significant support. As she faces these legal challenges, Amesty’s campaign has raised over $96,000, with an additional $27,000 in her political committee’s coffers.

The charges against Amesty have led to calls for her resignation from political opponents, including Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried. Fried questioned Amesty’s ability to represent her constituents effectively while defending herself against felony charges and urged her to step down.

However, GOP leaders, including Rep. Daniel Perez, the speaker-designate for the next legislative term, have defended Amesty, arguing that the charges are unrelated to her duties as a state representative. Perez expressed confidence that Amesty would vigorously defend herself against the allegations.

Looking Ahead

Despite the charges, a source from Amesty’s campaign indicated that she has no intention of resigning or withdrawing from the upcoming election. As the legal process unfolds, voters in House District 45 will ultimately decide Amesty’s political future in the November election.