Senate Investigating Sexual Harassment Claims Against Latvala

ST. PETERSBURG, FL - Florida Senate President Joe Negron has called for an investigation of sexual harassment allegations against Sen. Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater. Negron ordered an investigation by the Florida Senate following a report by Politico Florida where six women, including Senate staff and lobbyists from both major parties, accuse Latvala of inappropriately touching them without their consent or uttering demeaning remarks about their bodies.

Latvala, who is also running for governor, said in a statement released Friday evening that Politico was a "fake news entity" and their article was a "smear campaign."

"I unequivocally deny the allegations that have been made against me," he said. "And I find it interesting that these anonymous complaints have only come forward after I began my campaign for governor."

The women asked not to be identified for fear of losing their jobs, getting a bad reputation in the male-dominated Capitol or running afoul of an influential politician who can kill their clients’ issues, Politico Florida reported. The women said the incidents occurred over a period of several years, including in Latvala’s Senate office or in places such as the Capitol rotunda.

Negron called the allegations "atrocious and horrendous" and encouraged anyone with information to contact the offices of the Senate general counsel, Senate president or legislative services.

"The Senate has zero tolerance for sexual harassment, sexual assault, or misconduct of any kind and takes this issue with the utmost seriousness," Negron said in a statement to the Tampa Bay Times.

Latvala welcomed the Senate investigation, adding that "if my political opponents want a fight, then it's a fight they will get."

Read the Politico Florida story here.

Read the Tampa Bay Times report here.

Image via AP Photo/Steve Cannon