Florida state lawmaker indicted on felony charges related to private school
TALLAHASSEE, Florida — A Republican state representative in central Florida has been charged with falsifying records in connection with her administration of a private Christian school she ran with her family.
Carolina Amesty29, turned himself in to authorities at the Orange County Jail on Thursday and was booked on four felony countsThat’s after a grand jury found that Amesty forged a man’s signature on a document she had notarized in 2021 while working as an administrator at her family’s Central Christian Academy, according to State’s Attorney Andrew Bain. The alleged forgery occurred before Amesty was elected to the Florida House of Representatives.
Each of the charges is a third-degree felony, punishable by up to five years in prison And $5,000 in fines.
The charges against Amesty, who is currently seeking re-election in her district west of Orlando, follow investigations by the Orlando Sentinel about Amesty’s background, financial practices and role in the family school.
Amesty declined to answer questions from The Associated Press by telephone, but pointed out a proposition posted on the social media platform X.
“This prosecution, brought just weeks before the repeal of mail-in ballots, is based on misleading reports by a biased newspaper about a notarized employee’s background report,” Amesty’s campaign statement said. “Rep. Amesty calls for a speedy trial, looks forward to her day in court, and is confident of her public exoneration.”
First elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2022, Amesty billed herself as a successful businesswoman and avid supporter of former President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, and won a competitive district representing parts of Orange and Osceola Counties, including Walt Disney World.
Following the indictment, the Florida Democratic Party called on Amesty to resign.
“Carolina Amesty cannot effectively represent the people of House District 45 while defending herself against felony charges,” said party chairwoman Nikki Fried. “She should resign immediately, and if she refuses to take responsibility for her actions, we demand that the Florida House of Representatives expel her.”
A spokesman for the speaker of the Florida House of Representatives did not respond to a request for comment by deadline.
___ Kate Payne is a staff member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-reported issues.