A Second Witness Has Accused a Florida State Senator of Sexual Misconduct

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Time


By BRENDAN FARRINGTON / AP 9:22 PM EST

(TALLAHASSEE, Fla.) — An investigation into a Florida state senator accused of groping a single woman uncovered another witness who said he routinely touched her in a sexual manner and offered to support legislation in exchange for sexual favors.

Former Judge Ronald Swanson conducted the investigation into Republican Sen. Jack Latvala and found in a report issued Tuesday that the woman who filed the complaint against him was likely telling the truth, but details from other witnesses described even more extreme behavior.

“If any of this is true, he needs to resign immediately for the victims, for the people of Florida and for his family,” Republican Sen. Dana Young said. “With this report showing extreme circumstances, his continued presence in the Senate through session would be a tremendous distraction from the important work we need to accomplish.”


Ronald Swanson recommended the Senate sanction Latvala, who is also running for governor. The Senate will begin its annual session Jan. 9 and the Senate Rules Committee will meet Jan. 11 to consider the report.

Read more: http://time.com/5073021/florida-jack-latvala-state-senate-accused-sexual-harassment/

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[7962]

1. There must be some mistake. He must have been offering counseling & they didnt realize it

Since he's a "family man"

[Sancho]

2. My senator...

basically a moderate republican compared to the tea partiers (he voted against guns a couple times), but maybe it will open the door for Democrats. There are more Democratic voters registered than repubs here, but it's hard to GOTV, and highly gerrymandered.

We've elected Democrats to the state legislature from the Tampa Bay Area on occasion.

Of course, this legislature is highly misogynistic. We could really use more women to run, and we are seeing some movement from Indivisible, educators' unions, and the women's march in St. Pete was huge.

J. Latvala was a leading contender to replace Rick Scott as governor, but it's early in the race.

[Stuart G]

3. Thank You Judi Lynn for posting.... This is quite a story....urge everyone to read at the link..

[Stuart G]

4. 2nd story about this from Tampa Bay Times...respected newspaper in Florida

http://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2017/12/19/investigation-concludes-sen-jack-latvalas-conduct-may-be-criminal/.

Investigation concludes Sen. Jack Latvala’s conduct may be criminal 6 hours ago..
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A Florida Senate investigation into sexual misconduct allegations against Sen. Jack Latvala has been referred to law enforcement after a retired judge found that the Clearwater Republican may have committed both sexual harassment and a sexual assault against multiple women, including allegations of “quid pro quo” physical contact or sexual intimacy “in exchange for support of legislative initiatives.”

The special master’s report, delivered to the Senate Rules Committee on Tuesday by retired Judge Ronald V. Swanson, concluded there is probable cause to launch an investigation and hearing by the Rules Committee to determine if Latvala is guilty of violating Senate conduct rules and should be sanctioned or removed from office.

In a stunning development, however, the special master also referred the case for criminal investigation, concluding “a witness other than Complainant, and seemingly confirmed in text messages” from Latvala that “appear to violate ethics rules, and may violate laws prohibiting public corruption.”

“The Special Master recommends these allegations be immediately referred to law enforcement for further investigation. An internal investigation pursuant to Senate Rules, referral to the Florida Commission on Ethics, and/or some other appropriate mechanism of investigation of the alleged ethics violations is also recommended,” Swanson wrote in a 33-page report.
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another link, from the Miami Herald... well known, respected paper in Florida,

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article190675814.html