Current:Home > ScamsFlorida state lawmaker indicted on felony charges related to private school -FinanceCore
Florida state lawmaker indicted on felony charges related to private school
View
Date:2025-04-13 05:33:55
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — A Republican state representative in central Florida has been indicted on felony forgery charges related to her administration of a private Christian school that she helped run with her family.
Carolina Amesty, 29, turned herself in to authorities at the Orange County Jail on Thursday and was booked on four felony counts. That is after a grand jury found that Amesty forged a man’s signature on a document that she notarized in 2021 while working as an administrator at her family’s Central Christian Academy, according to State Attorney Andrew Bain. The alleged forgery happened before Amesty was elected to the Florida House of Representatives.
Each of the charges are third-degree felonies, punishable by up to five years in prison and $5,000 in fines.
The indictment of Amesty — who is currently running for reelection in her district west of Orlando — follows investigations by the Orlando Sentinel into Amesty’s background, financial practices and role in the family-run school.
Reached by phone, Amesty declined to answer questions from The Associated Press but pointed to a statement posted to the social media platform X.
“This prosecution, initiated just a few weeks prior to absentee ballots being dropped, is based on misleading reports from a partisan newspaper about a notarization of an employee verification background report,” reads the statement from Amesty’s campaign. “Rep. Amesty calls for a speedy trial, looks forward to her day in court, and is confident of her public vindication.”
First elected to the Florida House in 2022, Amesty touted herself as a successful businesswoman and staunch supporter of former President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, winning a competitive district that represents parts of Orange and Osceola counties, including Walt Disney World.
Following the indictment, the Florida Democratic Party called on Amesty to resign.
“Carolina Amesty can’t effectively represent the people of House District 45 while defending herself from felony charges,” party Chair Nikki Fried said. “She should resign from office immediately, and if she refuses to take responsibility for her actions, we demand that the Florida House of Representatives expel her from membership.”
A spokesperson for the Florida Speaker of the House did not respond to a request for comment by deadline.
___ Kate Payne is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
veryGood! (548)
Related
- In ‘Nickel Boys,’ striving for a new way to see
- A minivan explodes in Kabul, killing at least 3 civilians and wounding 4 others
- Rays shortstop Wander Franco faces lesser charge as Dominican judge analyzes evidence
- Defense Secretary Austin was treated for prostate cancer and a urinary tract infection, doctors say
- Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
- Death toll from western Japan earthquakes rises to 126
- Ray Epps, a target of Jan. 6 conspiracy theories, gets a year of probation for his Capitol riot role
- Robert Downey Jr. announces on Golden Globes stage: 'I took a beta-blocker.' What do they do?
- Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
- After soft launch challenges, FAFSA 2024-25 form is now available 24/7, Dept of Ed says
Ranking
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- CES 2024 updates: The most interesting news and gadgets from tech’s big show
- Mehdi Hasan announces MSNBC exit after losing weekly show
- Former President Clinton, House members mourn former Texas Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson at funeral
- Nearly half of US teens are online ‘constantly,’ Pew report finds
- More delays for NASA’s astronaut moonshots, with crew landing off until 2026
- National Association of Realtors president Tracy Kasper resigns after blackmail threats
- Intensified Russian airstrikes are stretching Ukraine’s air defense resources, officials say
Recommendation
House passes bill to add 66 new federal judgeships, but prospects murky after Biden veto threat
A man who claimed to be selling Queen Elizabeth II’s walking stick is sentenced for fraud
Inside Pregnant Jessie James Decker’s Cozy Baby Shower for Her and Eric Decker’s 4th Baby
Iowa school shooter's parents say they had 'no inkling of horrible violence'
Jamie Foxx gets stitches after a glass is thrown at him during dinner in Beverly Hills
Jennifer Lopez laughs off 'Sad Affleck' memes, says Ben is 'happy'
Are Meryl Streep and Martin Short Dating? His Rep Says...
Illinois' Terrence Shannon Jr. files restraining order against school following suspension