State Attorney declines to pursue charges against Monroe GOP officials after election probe

Monroe County’s top Republican leaders are breathing easier after prosecutors announced they will not pursue charges tied to a disputed $20,000 political contribution that set off months of infighting, allegations of fraud and an almost one-year investigation.

In a memo finalized last month, State Attorney Amira Fox of the 20th Judicial Circuit said her Office found insufficient evidence that Republican Party of Monroe Chair Rhonda Rebman Lopez and then-Treasurer Sherri Hodies violated state law when the organization endorsed and donated to Hodies’ successful Supervisor of Elections campaign.

Rebman Lopez celebrated the decision this week, commending Gov. Ron DeSantis for ensuring a “fair, transparent process” and blasting Republican Monroe State Attorney Dennis Ward, whom she accused of pushing the complaint to help Hodies’ Democratic opponent last year.

“This was a political attack from the start,” Rebman Lopez said. “Ward’s efforts to slander loyal Republicans failed. Thanks to Governor DeSantis and to the voters of Monroe County for standing strong.”




https://floridapolitics.com/archives/757871-state-attorney-declines-to-pursue-charges-against-monroe-gop-officials-after-election-probe/