Full Breakdown
DeSantis Suspends Palm Beach Clerk Mike Caruso After Child-Abuse Arrest
8/18/2026, 9:39:28 PM
Core Event
Palm Beach County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller Mike Caruso was arrested early Tuesday morning on multiple child-sex-abuse allegations, including kidnapping, molestation, lewd exhibition and child endangerment. Within hours, Governor Ron DeSantis issued an executive order removing Caruso from office, invoking his authority to suspend elected officials accused of crimes.
Background & Context
Caruso, a 67-year-old Republican, served in the Florida House from 2018 until his term ended in 2025. He was appointed by DeSantis to the clerk’s position in August 2025 and is seeking re-election in the upcoming November ballot, running unopposed in the primary. His political rise was bolstered by DeSantis’s public praise, including being called a “legend” for supporting the governor’s immigration legislation.
The arrest follows earlier, unpublicized investigations. Records show Caruso was the subject of multiple reports to the Florida Department of Children and Families, and a 2012 investigation by the Department of Children and Families and the Delray Beach Police Department was deemed unfounded after the child and witnesses denied abuse. Caruso’s former wife, Beverly Caruso, previously alleged sexual assault of a child during their divorce; Caruso dismissed the claim as false, and the court record contains no further details.
Official Statements & Responses
Governor DeSantis exercised his suspension power shortly after the arrest, stating that public officials “must be held accountable” for alleged wrongdoing. Attorney General James Uthmeier emphasized that “being in a position of public trust provides no shield from accountability” “Being in a position of public trust provides no shield from accountability,” — Attorney General James Uthmeier. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement confirmed the arrest and listed the charges in an affidavit but has not released additional investigative details.
Data & Statistics
- Annual salary for the clerk’s office: approximately $219,000.
- Staff overseen: about 670 employees.
- Annual budget managed: roughly $80.1 million.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Being in a position of public trust provides no shield from accountability,” — Attorney General James Uthmeier
