Story perspectives

Palm Beach Clerk Michael Caruso Arrested on Felony Charges

8/25/2026

Summary

Clerk Caruso Arrested

Palm Beach County Clerk Michael Caruso was arrested on five felony child-sex-abuse charges.
He pleaded not guilty and was ordered held without bond in an Orange County jail.
Governor Ron DeSantis suspended Caruso from his clerk position immediately after the arrest.
Caruso’s wife Tracy resigned from a health-care board and college trusteeship and called the allegations false.

Summary

Caruso Resigns

Tracy Caruso resigned from the Health Care District of Palm Beach County Board.
Governor Ron DeSantis appointed Caruso to the board in December 2022.
The district removed Caruso’s biography from its website after her resignation.
A public-relations representative released Caruso’s resignation statement just before 10 a.m.
She said she stepped down to avoid distracting the board amid her husband’s legal case.

History

Historical Context

In 1989, U.S. District Judge Alcee Hastings was impeached and removed from office after a federal conviction for political bribery. The Senate voted 69-26, and the conviction cost him a $1 million forfeiture and barred him permanently from federal public office. Similarly, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis suspended Palm Beach Clerk Michael Caruso and saw his wife Tracy Caruso resign from the district board amid child-sex-abuse charges. These actions reinforce Florida’s swift isolation of officials under criminal scrutiny, shaping future accountability standards for elected and appointed leaders.

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Clerk Caruso Arrested

Palm Beach County Clerk Michael Caruso was arrested on five felony child-sex-abuse charges.
He pleaded not guilty and was ordered held without bond in an Orange County jail.
Governor Ron DeSantis suspended Caruso from his clerk position immediately after the arrest.
Caruso’s wife Tracy resigned from a health-care board and college trusteeship and called the allegations false.

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