Sexual Misconduct brings Senator Latvala under active investigation by FDLE

The Matassini Law Firm, P.A. has learned that former state Sen. Jack Latvala of Clearwater, who resigned last month in a sexual harassment scandal, is the subject of an active investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the agency publicly announced recently.

FDLE’s announcement is the latest major development stemming from a bombshell report by a former judge hired by the Senate to investigate allegations of sexual misconduct against the veteran Tampa Bay legislator. In his scathing report, the ex-judge said Latvala may have violated Florida public corruption laws by trading legislative favors for sex.

FDLE, the state’s premier law enforcement agency, said its case was previously in “review” status, a less serious stage that would allow department investigators to dismiss any allegations against Latvala without presenting them to prosecutors. This is not the case now.

Gretl Plessinger, an FDLE spokeswoman, said that if the case blossomed into a full investigation, “it will likely move before a prosecutor or a state attorney.” FDLE officials met Friday with members of Leon County State Attorney Jack Campbell’s staff and the announcement of a formal investigation came shortly afterward.

The case is under the supervision of Scott McInerney, head of executive investigations at FDLE. The change in case status means Latvala’s fate will likely be in the hands of Leon County State Attorney Jack Campbell in Tallahassee. It appears a prosecution for a criminal violation may be imminent for the disgraced senator.

Contact The Matassini Law Firm, P.A. if you or a loved one has been a victim of a sex crime or sexual harassment involving anyone in a special position of trust such as an employer, doctor, teacher, therapist, or counselor. Nicholas G. Matassini has successfully obtained financial compensation for victims of sexual abuse and provides free consultations for all potential victims. We represent victims in the Tampa Bay area and throughout the state of Florida.

Resource:

tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2018/01/26/breaking-fdle-announces-full-investigation-in-latvala-case/