Sen. Latvala Could Face Criminal Investigation: Report

TALLAHASSEE, FL - A Florida Senate investigation into Sen. Jack Latvala finds a complaint he inappropriately touched a woman on several occasions is likely true. The sexual misconduct allegations could go before a criminal prosecutor. The report will now be taken up by the Senate Rules Committee on Jan. 11. He could be sanctioned or removed from office.

A former federal judge who conducted the 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,” the Miami Herald reported. Several other witness accounts of sexual misconduct by Latvala are cited in the report released Tuesday. Latvala, a Republican, is running for governor.

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, the Herald reported.

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

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)