Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an executive order on Monday officially suspending a Democratic mayor accused of voter fraud.
What is the background?
As TheBlaze reported, North Miami Beach Mayor Anthony DeFillipo was arrested last week for allegedly committing voter fraud.
The charges center on allegations that DeFillipo voted in the North Miami Beach three times despite his primary residence allegedly being outside of the voting jurisdiction. He was charged with three counts of an unqualified elector willfully voting. The crimes are felonies and carry a maximum sentence of five years in prison each.
DeFillipo has admitted to the allegations, calling his actions an “oversight.”
“We’re human, we make mistakes,” DeFillipo told WTVJ-TV.
What is happening now?
The executive order immediately suspends DeFillipo from office.
“It is in the best interests of the residents of the City of North Miami Beach, and the citizens of the State of Florida, that Anthony F. DeFillipo II be immediately suspended from the public office which he now holds,” the order reads.
Under the suspension, DeFillipo is “prohibited from performing any official act, duty, or function of public office; from receiving any pay or allowance; and from being entitled to any of the emoluments or privileges of public office,” the executive order explains.
Florida law authorizes the governor to suspend local elected officials for “malfeasance, neglect of duty, drunkenness, incompetence, inability to perform official duties, or commission of a felony.” The Florida state Senate will next determine whether DeFillipo should be removed from office completely or reinstated.
In response to the allegations, DeFillipo’s attorney, Mike Pizzi, accused the state of bringing “politically motivated false charges.” Pizzi said:
The Mayor expects to be fully exonerated from these politically motivated false charges and is anxious to get his day in court. The Mayor has always fought corruption in his City and has never been charged with abusing his office. The sole allegation that he voted in the wrong district is misguided and it is shameful that the State attorney is using her office to intercede in politics.
Pizzi, however, did not provide any evidence to corroborate his claims.
In the meantime, vice mayors will serve North Miami Beach in DeFillipo’s absence. The position rotates every four months.
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The post Gov. DeSantis wastes no time suspending Democratic mayor arrested on voter fraud charges appeared first on TheBlaze.
