Republican Who Backed Death Penalty for Pedophiles Faces Child Sex ChargesPublished
Aug 18, 2026 at 07:00 PM EDT
updated
Aug 19, 2026 at 05:38 PM EDT
Palm Beach County Clerk of Court Michael Caruso, a former Republican state legislator who previously backed the death penalty for adults convicted of sexually battering children under 12, was arrested Tuesday on five felony child sex abuse charges.
The 67-year-old married father of seven, who was appointed by Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, faces five felony counts: kidnapping, child molestation, lewd exhibition, luring or enticing a child and child abuse causing mental injury, an arrest affidavit shows.
Investigators in Florida say Caruso violated a child—who is a relative—and allege the abuse occurred multiple times from fall 2024 to August 2025, including on a family cruise, a fishing outing and during a Thanksgiving gathering. The child has been receiving therapeutic services since April 2026, according to the police affidavit.
The Haba Law Firm, which represents the victim, said it intends to ensure the child’s voice is heard as the case moves forward.
“This arrest is a decisive line in the sand. When someone targets a child, they don’t just break the law — they shatter a community’s trust,” Lisa Haba said in a statement shared with Newsweek.
DeSantis, who named Caruso to serve as court clerk and comptroller in August 2025, immediately suspended him from office Tuesday upon learning of the allegations.
“It was a very easy decision for me to yank him from that position," DeSantis said during a Tuesday news conference.
When asked whether he or anyone in his administration was aware of the allegations against Caruso before his appointment, he answered: "Of course not.”
“He had a clean vet, he was well-regarded in the community,” DeSantis said, calling the alleged crimes “horrific.”
Florida is the first state to reintroduce the death penalty for convicted pedophiles, DeSantis said, and if Caruso is convicted, "he is going to be in a world of hurt.”
What Bill Did Caruso Support?
While representing District 87 in the Florida House, Caruso backed what is now known as the 2023 Florida Capital Sexual Battery law. The legislation allows prosecutors to seek the death penalty for adults convicted of sexually battering a child under the age of 12. Caruso is listed as a “Yea” in the April 13, 2023, House vote. DeSantis signed the bill in May 2023, and it took effect six months later.
The Republican is up for reelection in November but is not appearing on Tuesday’s primary ballot, as he is running uncontested. The Florida GOP called on Caruso to drop out of the race immediately.
“While this is surprising news for our entire team, it does not change who we are at the Clerk’s Office or our commitment to the community and customers we serve,” the Palm Beach County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller’s Office said in an email to Newsweek.
Following the arrest, Shannon Ramsey-Chessman was sworn in as clerk ad interim. As of Tuesday afternoon, Caruso’s official page on the clerk's office website was unavailable.
Caruso was booked into the Orange County jail and is being held without bond. The investigation remains ongoing, and Uthmeier's office expects more charges.
“Being in a position of public trust provides no shield from accountability,” state Attorney General James Uthmeier said. "This individual will face the full force of the law.”
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Anna Commander, Edward T. Cummins, Sam Wilson.
PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. —Suspended Palm Beach County Clerk of Court and Comptroller Mike Caruso remained jailed without bond Thursday after appearing before a judge in Orange County on charges accusing him of sexually abusing a young family member.
But a WPBF 25 News Investigates review of court records has uncovered another allegation involving Caruso and a child, dating back more than a decade before Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed him to one of Palm Beach County’s highest-ranking elected offices.
Caruso denied that earlier allegation and accused his former wife of orchestrating a false sexual abuse case against him.
Caruso appears before Orange County judge
Caruso appeared by video for his first appearance after being transferred to the Orange County Jail.
"Good afternoon, sir. State your name," the judge said.
"Michael Allen Caruso," Caruso replied.
Caruso faces five felony charges: kidnapping, lewd or lascivious molestation, lewd or lascivious exhibition, luring or enticing a child and child abuse causing mental injury.
Investigators say the alleged victim was under 12 years old when the abuse allegedly occurred. Court records say the alleged abuse began in 2024 and escalated in August 2025.
Caruso has denied sexually abusing the child.
Divorce records reveal earlier child abuse allegations
Court records reviewed by Investigative Reporter Terri Parker show Caruso filed for divorce from his former wife in 2012.
In a counterpetition, his former wife accused Caruso of having "a history of physical and emotional abuse of one or more of the children."
The dispute escalated in early 2013, when Caruso's attorney directly addressed an allegation of sexual abuse involving a child.
"The Wife has intentionally orchestrated and caused a false sexual abuse case to be filed and pursued against the Husband," his attorney wrote, adding that Caruso's former wife knew "the allegations are not true."
The voluminous divorce case paints a picture of years of bitter conflict between the couple, with both sides accusing the other of conduct they said was harming their children.
The Miami Herald reported Thursday that Delray Beach police and the Florida Department of Children and Families investigated a child sexual abuse allegation against Caruso in 2012. According to the Herald, the investigation did not result in criminal charges. WPBF 25 News Investigates has requested the Delray Beach police records and is waiting to receive them.
Alleged abuse occurred around time Caruso took office
The current criminal case involves separate allegations more than a decade later.
Investigators say the alleged abuse occurred over a period of months beginning in 2024, with the most serious allegations in August 2025.
That was the same month Caruso became Palm Beach County clerk.
DeSantis appointed Caruso to fill the vacancy on Aug. 18, 2025.
One year later, on Aug. 18, 2026, Caruso was arrested.
DeSantis immediately suspended him from office and appointed a replacement. Caruso's name, however, remains on the November ballot for clerk of court.
The arrest is now raising questions about whether the previous allegations surfaced when the governor's office vetted Caruso for the appointment.
DeSantis told reporters after Caruso's arrest that the earlier information was not included in the materials used to vet him for the job, according to the Miami Herald.
Caruso has denied the allegations against him. The criminal case remains pending.
