Sen. Latvala Resigns Amid Sexual Misconduct Allegations: Report

TALLAHASSEE, FL - State Sen. Jack Latvala resigned Wednesday after a Florida Senate investigation found a complaint he inappropriately touched a woman on several occasions was likely true. Earlier in the day, Gov. Rick Scott had called on Latvala to resign.

Latvala, 66, of Clearwater, delivered a letter of resignation to Senate President Joe Negron, the Miami Herald reported. “I have never intentionally dishonored my family, my constituents or the Florida Senate,” Latvala wrote in the letter.

Sexual misconduct allegations against Latvala could go before a criminal prosecutor.

Scott issued this statement on Wednesday: "Now that the special master report is complete and probable cause has been found, it is time for Senator Latvala to resign. Resigning is the best thing he can do now for his constituents, colleagues and the state."

Gubernatorial candidate Adam Putnam also tweeted Tuesday night that Latvala should resign following the release of the report.

A former federal judge who conducted the Senate investigation found that the Clearwater Republican may have committed both sexual harassment and sexual assault against multiple women, including physical contact or sexual intimacy "in exchange for support of legislative initiatives." Several other witness accounts of sexual misconduct by Latvala are cited in the report released Tuesday.

The investigation began after a complaint was filed by Rachel Perrin Rogers, a top aide to Senate Majority Leader Wilton Simpson. She said Latvala inappropriately touched her in an elevator, at a private club and other occasions. Latvala has denied the allegations. The case was also referred to prosecutors for possible public corruption.

Read the Miami Herald story here.

Caption: State Sen. Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater, a member of the committee of government oversight and accountability, asks a question about an amendment to a bill concerning police body cameras and the restrictions of access to that information on Tuesday, March 17, 2015, in Tallahassee. (AP Photo/Steve Cannon)