DeSantis-Appointed Clerk Arrested on Child Sex Charges
DeSantis-Appointed Clerk Arrested on Child Sex Charges
The News
Palm Beach County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller Mike Caruso — a former Republican state representative appointed to the job by Gov. Ron DeSantis — was arrested Tuesday morning on five felony counts tied to child sexual abuse, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced.
DeSantis suspended Caruso, 67, of Riviera Beach, from office the same day.
Caruso is being held without bond at the Orange County Corrections Department. Uthmeier said more charges are expected as the investigation continues.
The Charges
According to the governor's executive order of suspension, the five felony counts are kidnapping, luring or enticing a child, lewd or lascivious molestation, lewd or lascivious exhibition, and child abuse involving mental injury, The Center Square reported.
Investigators told WPLG Local 10 the counts include kidnapping, two counts of lewd or lascivious molestation, luring or enticing a child, and child abuse involving mental injury.
An arrest warrant obtained by Local 10 states the alleged victim is under the age of 12 and known to Caruso, and claimed Caruso engaged in sexual activity with him on two occasions — once around Thanksgiving in 2024, and again during a family cruise in August 2025.
The allegations are accusations. Caruso has not entered a plea, and the sources do not report a comment from him or a lawyer.
Timeline
Caruso is first elected to the Florida House of Representatives, where he serves seven years, sitting on the Higher Education Budget Subcommittee, the Commerce Committee and the State Affairs Committee.
the first incident alleged in the arrest warrant.
DeSantis appoints Caruso Palm Beach County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller. The warrant alleges a second incident during a family cruise the same month.
Caruso is arrested with what Uthmeier called "substantial assistance" from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and local police.
DeSantis suspends him, barring him from any official act or function and from any pay or allowances.
Reactions
"Being in a position of public trust provides no shield from accountability," Uthmeier said. "Thanks to the thorough investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Office of Statewide Prosecution, this individual will face the full force of the law."
FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass said: "When allegations involve harm to a child, we mobilize every resource to uncover the truth and ensure those responsible are brought to justice. Our team conducted a comprehensive investigation with close coordination from partner agencies."
The Palm Beach County Clerk's office said it was notified Tuesday morning that Caruso "was arrested on serious criminal charges" and is "awaiting additional information from the Governor's office on next steps." It called the news surprising for the team and said its focus on service "remains for every one of our 650 employees."
What's Next
Caruso's first appearance is scheduled for Wednesday at 10 a.m. He remains held without bond until then.
DeSantis has ordered law enforcement to ensure that neither Caruso nor his staff remove any files, papers, documents, notes, records, computers or storage media from his office.
Special Counsel Rita Peters and Senior Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Lauryn Day are prosecuting the case. Uthmeier said additional charges are possible.
More
The office Caruso ran is not a small one: roughly 650 employees and an annual operating budget of $76 million, according to his own website. He was seeking election to keep the seat DeSantis handed him a year ago.
His public record included the Delray Beach Police Advisory Board, Cub Scout and Boy Scout leadership, and more than 30 years coaching Delray Beach National Little League.
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