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.
29 Articles
29 Articles
Ex-Florida state rep charged with kidnapping, molesting young boy – years after ex-wife accused him of child abuse
A former Florida state lawmaker who is up for re-election as a court clerk was charged Tuesday with kidnapping and molesting a young child -- allegedly even urinating in his mouth on a cruise, according to disturbing court documents.
Former Florida Republican lawmaker Michael Caruso arrested, charged with sexually abusing grandson
Palm Beach County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller Mike Caruso, a former Republican legislator, was arrested by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and local police on child sexual abuse charges Tuesday. Attorney General James Uthmeier made the announcement on social media. “Early this morning, with substantial assistance from FDLE and local law enforcement, […] The post Former Florida Republican lawmaker Michael Caruso arrested, cha…
Longtime Deputy Clerk Takes Over Palm Beach County Clerk's Office After Caruso Arrest
WEST PALM BEACH, FL — The executive order that suspended Palm Beach County's clerk of court did not say who would run the office. That answer came a few hours later, and it came from the courthouse rather than from Tallahassee. Shannon Ramsey-Chessman was named Clerk Ad Interim for Palm Beach County under an administrative order issued Aug. 18, 2026, by Chief Judge Glenn Kelley of the 15th Judicial Circuit, according to the Clerk of the Circuit …
Former GOP State Lawmaker And DeSantis Appointee Arrested On Child Sex Abuse Charges – 100PercentFedUp.com – by Danielle
Palm Beach County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller Mike Caruso, a former Florida state representative and ally of Gov. Ron DeSantis, has been arrested on charges related to child sex abuse involving a minor less than 12 years old. Caruso, 67, faces five felony counts: kidnapping, child molestation, lewd exhibition, luring or enticing a child, and child abuse causing mental injury. DeSantis suspended Caruso shortly after. “Early this mo…
Mike Caruso's Disturbing Sexual Offender History Haunts Back After Arrest on Child-Sex Abuse Charges
Only one month before voters were due to decide whether he should keep one of Palm Beach County's most powerful public offices, former Florida legislator Michael Allen Caruso was arrested on allegations of kidnapping and sexually abusing a child, in a case that has also revived earlier claims of sexual misconduct involving a minor. The 67-year-old Republican, currently serving as clerk of courts and comptroller of Palm Beach County after being a…
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