Palm Beach County Clerk Mike Caruso Arrested in Child Sex Abuse Case, Florida AG Says
Florida officials say the investigation is ongoing and more charges are expected after Michael Caruso’s arrest, with no bond set before first appearance.
- On Tuesday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis suspended Palm Beach County Clerk of Court Michael Caruso following his arrest on five felony counts, including child sexual abuse, lewd or lascivious molestation, and kidnapping.
- FDLE Special Agent Reuben Roach's affidavit alleges Caruso abused his grandson, a boy under 12, during a 2024 fishing trip, at Thanksgiving 2024, and aboard the Icon of the Seas cruise in August 2025.
- The boy's father discovered the abuse in October 2025 after witnessing sexualized behavior, while recorded conversations show Caruso admitted isolating the child on the cruise but denied sexual allegations.
- Caruso remains held without bond at the Orange County Jail, while Palm Beach County Clerk of Court spokesperson Kathy Burstein stated the office is "awaiting additional information" while maintaining service for its 650 employees.
- DeSantis cited the Florida Constitution in his suspension order, which remains in effect until further notice; Caruso faces no Republican challenger and will not appear on Tuesday's primary ballot.
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DeSantis on Caruso arrest: 'World of hurt' if convicted, citing death penalty law
SARASOTA, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday that Palm Beach County Clerk of Court Michael Caruso faces a “world of hurt” if convicted of five felony charges related to the alleged sexual abuse of a child, while defending the state’s handling of the case and pointing to Florida’s death penalty law for certain child… The post DeSantis on Caruso arrest: ‘World of hurt’ if convicted, citing death penalty law appeared first on Florida’s Voice.
DeSantis Floats Execution For Appointee Accused Of Molestation, Notes That Appointee Voted For 2023 Law
Florida Politico reports: Gov. Ron DeSantis says he and his staff were unaware of an earlier child sex abuse accusation lodged against now-former Palm Beach County Clerk Mike Caruso before tapping him for the job last August, despite court records showing the claim. DeSantis went on to note that Florida was the first state in the country to introduce the death penalty for convicted pedophiles through legislation Caruso voted for in 2023. Two yea…
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