Key facts
- Florida Governor Ron DeSantis suspended Michael Caruso, Clerk of Court and Comptroller for Palm Beach County.
- Caruso was arrested on five felony charges including kidnapping, child molestation, and child abuse.
- The alleged victim is a male relative under the age of 12.
- The alleged abuse occurred multiple times during 2024 and 2025.
- Caruso was a former close ally and supporter of DeSantis's legislative agenda.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has suspended Michael Caruso, the Clerk of Court and Comptroller for Palm Beach County, following his arrest on felony child sexual abuse charges. Caruso, who was previously a close ally and supporter of DeSantis, faces charges including kidnapping, child molestation, lewd exhibition, luring or enticing a child, and child abuse causing mental injury.
According to court documents, the alleged victim is a male relative of Caruso under the age of 12 and was reportedly molested multiple times during 2024 and 2025. The investigation is ongoing, with Florida's Attorney General James Uthmeier announcing the arrest and stating that more information would be provided when appropriate.
DeSantis, speaking at a press conference, described the decision to suspend Caruso as "very easy" upon hearing of the allegations. He noted that Caruso, a married father of seven, had a long history of community involvement, including coaching little league and volunteering with the Boy Scouts. However, DeSantis added that Caruso would face severe consequences if convicted.
The Miami Herald reported that Caruso's personal life had previous "ugly flare-ups" and at least one prior allegation of sexually assaulting a child, documented in court records from a 2012 investigation during his 2013 divorce proceedings. Caruso had claimed his ex-wife orchestrated a false abuse case against him.
Caruso and DeSantis had a close working relationship, with DeSantis frequently commending Caruso for his support of hardline legislation, including appointing him as clerk of court shortly before he termed out of the Florida House. DeSantis also made several appointments to Caruso's wife, Tracy Stein Caruso. Caruso's former seat as a state representative was won by Democrat Emily Gregory in a March election.