
‘The cavalry is here': Florida AG offers to help State Attorney Monique Worrell clear backlog
ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier offered Monday to provide additional prosecutors to Central Florida to help clear a backlog of cases, the latest development in an ongoing feud between the Gov. Ron DeSantis ally and Orange-Osceola State Attorney Monique Worrell.
'The cavalry is here,' he said at a news conference in Orlando as he stood alongside Orange County Sheriff John Mina. 'We've got a tiger team of prosecutors that we're going to be sending to help out.'
Uthmeier said he'll dispatch four prosecutors and a 'handful more,' though not the 13 Worrell said she needed to clear a backlog of 13,000 'nonarrest' cases, most of which she added may not be suitable for prosecution.
The attorney general's actions come after he criticized Worrell, a Democrat, for enacting a policy limiting the review of cases in which an alleged suspect has not been arrested — her approach to trimming the backlog.
The cases that will be reviewed under any circumstance, according to her office's three-page memo detailing the policy, are homicides, child abuse cases, economic crimes and trafficking offenses, among others. The rest, including misdemeanor cases and violent felonies, require at least an arrest warrant before they are to be taken on by prosecutors.
Worrell said last week she would be willing to rescind the policy if Uthmeier gave her the resources to handle the cases. Her office did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment but will hold a press conference at 2:30 p.m.
'I have a feeling our team is going to pack a heavy punch, and if there's truly an additional need for resources, if that's truly an accurate statement, then we'll look at helping her out further,' Uthmeier said.
The backlog of nonarrest cases dates back to former State Attorney Aramis Ayala's administration and has grown since then, Uthmeier said. Worrell, when announcing her policy to reporters, said a case backlog has been a problem for even longer — pointing to a 2013 news report from when Jeff Ashton was top prosecutor outlining his concerns.
Records show her policy was influenced by one put in place by neighboring Fifth Circuit State Attorney William Gladson, whose district covers five counties including Lake. That policy, implemented in 2021 to address a swelling backlog amid the COVID-19 pandemic, specifies several offenses prosecutors will review without an arrest, but requires an arrest for other offenses. Both policies encourage law enforcement to reach out to prosecutors with concerns about individual cases.
Uthmeier disputed that Gladson, a Republican, has a similar nonarrest policy. He said Gladson's policy doesn't list offenses that are not going to be prosecuted and with a smaller backlog of about 500 cases, his office has not turned any away nor has it requested assistance.
But Statewide Prosecutor Nick Cox called the backlog of 13,000 cases in Orange and Osceola counties a 'remarkable' number that needs to be dealt with.
'If we don't get this done, it's dangerous,' he said. 'It's a public safety issue and so we're glad to do anything we can to help.'
Mina, the only local law enforcement leader to publicly speak against Worrell's policy, thanked the state attorney for reaching out to Uthmeier's office for help.
'I know that's not an easy thing to do, but this is the right thing for Orange County, Osceola County and the Ninth Circuit here,' he said. 'We need to start working together to accept these cases, some very serious, and this is all about protecting the victims.'
Concerned with how these cases are being handled, he pointed to an example of a nonarrest case from March 21, involving a lurker in east Orlando. In that incident, according to a report shared with the Orlando Sentinel, a man who had been asked to leave a martial arts studio earlier that day returned and was observing children's classes. That man was then escorted out of the business and deputies were called, and an employee said he wished to press charges.
Despite the report saying there was probable cause to arrest the man for trespassing — a misdemeanor — he was not. The case was then forwarded to Worrell's office but was later rejected, Mina said. While the office's nonarrest policy says misdemeanors 'where no felony is alleged' are not eligible for review without an arrest, it further notes issuing a notice to appear in court for such crimes would then qualify it as an arrest case.
But even if deputies had sought a warrant, judges won't sign one for certain misdemeanors if officers didn't witness the offense, Mina added. Chief Judge Lisa Munyon told the Sentinel Florida law establishes the conditions to sign warrants in crimes where only a misdemeanor is alleged — and unless an arrest is made or the state attorney decides to the pursue the case, a warrant can only be signed when a summons is issued and returned unserved.
In other words, she said: 'It's not that we won't sign misdemeanor arrest warrants, it's that we can't.'
'Law enforcement is stuck in the middle,' Mina told reporters. If Worrell is 'not going to accept the cases and the judges won't review certain cases, then our victims are the ones suffering,' he added.
Worrell's policy sparked a back-and-forth between her and Uthmeier, renewing concerns from her allies that DeSantis is looking to again remove the state attorney from office. In 2023, she was suspended and replaced with Andrew Bain after she was accused of incompetence and neglect of duty, a move upheld by the Florida Supreme Court.
But then, Worrell handily beat Bain in last November's election. Weeks before taking office, she appeared to be the subject of a grand jury investigation but no charges have been brought and no update has been announced. When asked about that investigation on Monday, Uthmeier said he is not allowed to talk about it while DeSantis, who had a press event that same day, said he has no involvement with the proceedings.
But Uthmeier, who has called Worrell a 'Soros prosecutor,' denied his office is playing politics by going after her. DeSantis, meanwhile, said Worrell does not 'have the ability to pick and choose which laws you're going to enforce.'
'We're not running around the state looking for people to remove from office,' Uthmeier said. 'We're looking for people that aren't doing their job, and as a prosecutor, your job is simple: Put bad people away and keep Floridians safe. It's that simple. If you're willing to do that, I got no beef with you.'
-------------

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Hill
28 minutes ago
- The Hill
Judge rejects Newsom's emergency request to limit Trump LA troop deployment
A judge has rejected California Gov. Gavin Newsom's (D) emergency request to limit President Trump's Los Angeles troop deployment. Newsom had earlier Tuesday asked a federal judge to immediately intervene to limit Trump's deployment of the National Guard in L.A., asking for an emergency ruling by 1 p.m. PDT that day. U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer, however, granted the Trump administration's request for more time to respond to Newsom's request. The administration has until 11 a.m. PDT Wednesday to submit its arguments. 'The court did not deny or rule on the Governor's request for a temporary restraining order. The court set a hearing for Thursday, after the federal government and the state file additional briefs, and we anticipate the court will rule on the request for a TRO a short time later,' a Newsom spokesperson told The Hill on Tuesday when reached for comment. Trump and Newsom have gone after each other amid the recent immigration protests in Los Angeles, with Trump even saying he would support arresting the Golden State governor. 'The President of the United States just called for the arrest of a sitting Governor. This is a day I hoped I would never see in America. I don't care if you're a Democrat or a Republican, this is a line we cannot cross as a nation — this is an unmistakable step toward authoritarianism,' Newsom shot back in a post on X Monday at Trump. Vice President Vance also took swings on Monday at Newsom, responding to Newsom's post about Trump's comments on his arrest by telling him to 'Do your job.' 'That's all we're asking,' he added.
Yahoo
32 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Ocean County primary results: Toms River voters reject mayor's picks, turnout low in county
Toms River Mayor Daniel Rodrick will likely face a hostile Township Council in January after his political opponents won three of the four available council seats in a hotly contested Republican primary. Robert Bianchini, Ward 1; Clinton Bradley, Ward 2; and Councilman David Ciccozzi, Ward 4; defeated Rodrick allies Council President Justin Lamb, Councilman William Byrne, and Anthony Matarazzo. If all three win their November races in this deep-red town, they would join Councilman Thomas Nivison, a Rodrick critic, to form a 4 to 3 council majority. In Ward 4, Anthony Ricotta, who was backed by Ocean County GOP Chairman George R. Gilmore over Matarazzo, finished second behind Ciccozzi in a three-way race. Rodrick ally Harry Aber defeated Councilman James Quinlisk in the Ward 3 race, with the support of the township's growing Orthodox Jewish community. The council seats are all four-year terms. Turnout was light in the township and in the county. Just 23% of the county's registered voters cast ballots Tuesday. While vote totals are still unofficial, the ward races were close: in Ward 1, Bianchini received 1,597 votes to 1,323 for Lamb. In Ward 2, Bradley defeated Byrne by a 1,555-to-1,469 margin. In Ward 4, Ciccozzi received 883 votes to 753 for Ricotta, while Matarazzo garnered 743. In Ward 3, Aber won by a commanding margin, receiving 1,559 to Quinlisk's 929. More: Live updates of New Jersey Primary Election as Ocean, Monmouth residents head to polls Only one of the Democrat races was contested: in downtown's Ward 4, Justin Moran defeated Paul Williams by a margin of 725 to 415. Moran will seek a council seat along with Democratic running mates Anthony Colucci, in Ward 1, and Susan Payne Gato, Ward 2. The Democrats do not have a candidate in Ward 3. Rodrick's opponents appeared to have been successful in attacking the mayor for attempting to buy or seize Christ Episcopal Church through eminent domain, and also for his attacks on the county that centered on the growing homeless population in the township's downtown. More: Live election results for New Jersey Governor's race; voting totals from each NJ county Toms River PBA's criticism of the mayor for reduced staffing in the police department may also have hurt Rodrick's candidates. Here are results in other contested races in Ocean County: Democrats Lisa Bennett and Rosalee Keech defeated Donald Campbell in the race for two seats in the state Assembly. They will face Republican Assemblymen Brian Rumpf and Gregory Mhyre in the fall. Democrats Debra Di Donato and Janine G. Bauer took the two Democratic Assembly nominations, beating out Phil Nufrio. Di Donato won 8,922 votes; Bauer, 7576; and Nufrio, 4,477. The two will face Republicans incumbents Gregory P. McGuckin and Paul Kanitra in November. The results are based on 100% of Monmouth County votes counted and the votes in 151 out of 152 districts in Ocean County. Longtime Ocean County Commissioner John P. "Jack" Kelly handily defeated former Ocean County Assistant Prosecutor Rory Wells in the GOP county clerk's race. Kelly, 73, is the current director of the Board of Commissioners, and a former mayor of Eagleswood. He was first elected to the board in 1992. Raymond Newman, with 228 votes, and Barry Wick, 217, defeated Augustine J. Rillo, 93, in the race for two available Borough Council seats in the Pine Beach GOP primary. In a race for two spots, Karen Stillufsen earned 523 votes and John H. Dixon received 488 votes in Point Pleasant Beach's GOP primary. Incumbent Councilmember David Betten received 371 votes. The results are unofficial. While no Democrats filed in the primary there were 47 write-in ballots cast. If the results hold, Stillufsen and Dixon will run in the General Election for a pair of council seats. Incumbent Councilman Robert Butkus was the top vote-getter in Ship Bottom's GOP primary with 139 votes followed by William Fenimore with 125 votes. Those two will run in the general election for a pair of three-year council seats. Incumbent Tom Tallon was defeated in the GOP primary. While no Democrats ran in the primary, there were 3 write-in votes cast. Jean Mikle covers Toms River, Seaside Heights and several other Ocean County towns. She is also passionate about Asbury Park's musical history. Contact her: jmikle@ Staff Writers Dan Radel and Ken Serrano contributed to this story. This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Ocean County results: Turnout low; Toms River rejects mayor's picks
Yahoo
32 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Monmouth County Election 2025: Incumbents leading in primary races
Monmouth County incumbents faired best in Tuesday's primary races, with Republican County Clerk Christine Giordano-Hanlon and County Commissioners Thomas A. Arnone and Dominick "Nick" DiRocco leading the GOP battle for the only countywide contested races. See all contested races below: Monmouth County Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon, 57, of Ocean Township, who also has the support of the county GOP leadership, was ahead of her challenger Danielle Bellomo, 38, of Marlboro who was on the conservative ticket. Monmouth County Commissioners Thomas A. Arnone, 62, of Neptune City, and Dominick 'Nick' DiRocco, 50, of Wall, who have the support of the county GOP organization, were ahead of challengers Mary Katie Kelliher, 47, and Ronald J. Osadacz, Jr., 33, both of Freehold Township, who ran under the banner "Monmouth County Conservative Republicans," according to unofficial results. In the Republican primary race for two seats on Brielle Borough Council, Michael A. Gianforte and Christine M. Laufer were ahead of Cort W. Gorham in the unofficial results. Republican challenger John Tobia was leading Sue Fitzpatrick in the Colts Neck Republican primary. Tobia won 1,176 votes to Fitzpatrick's 789 votes. Tobia will run unopposed in the General Election as no Democrats ran in the primary. Tobia, a current planning board member, had voted against the controversial Livana Colts Neck apartment complex and made affordable housing the focus of his campaign. What's happening: Live updates of New Jersey Primary Election as Ocean, Monmouth residents head to polls Republican incumbent Brenden Sharkey and challenger Sean Atterbury are leading a crowded Republican ticket for two council seats. Sharkey is at 125 votes and Atterbury at 93 votes. Incumbent Alexi Reque is trailing at 65 votes, as are challengers Alberto Miranda at 25 votes, Jesse Heubel at 18 votes and Joao F. Soares at 18 votes. If Sharkey and Atterbury win the primary, they will run unopposed in the general election as no Democrats have filed to run. In a borough roiled by resignations, appointed incumbents Janet Leonardis, Patsy Fierro and John Alite, a former mobster, were also on the ballot. All three are running unopposed in their Republican primary races. No Democrats have filed to challenge them in the November General Election. Results: Live election results for Monmouth County; New Jersey election results Republican Incumbent Maureen Fasano leads challenger Michael R. Murphy in the Republican primary. Fasano received 1,935 votes to Murphy's 1,003 votes. Fasano will run unopposed in the November general election. No Democrats have filed to run for township committee. Former Republican Mayor Gregory Buontempo is leading the Republican ticket with rival and current Mayor Brian Foster. Buontempo, who was not endorsed by the county Republican party, has 1,006 votes while Foster, who was endorsed by the county Republican party, has 993 votes. Foster's running mate and current committeewoman Kimberley LaMountain has 973 votes while Buontempo's running mate Prakash Santhana has 731 votes. Incumbent Marlboro Republicans Antoinette DiNuzzo and Michael Milman are leading the race for three Township council seats. Challenger Nicholas Stella, a recent Marlboro High School graduate, joins the two incumbents for the third spot at 1,258 votes. Incumbent Juned Qazi trails with 1,044 votes, challenger Charles Anastasia trails with 1,194 votes and Oleg "Alex" Gampel trails with 951 votes. The winners of the Marlboro Republican primary will face Democrats David Fisher, Peter Bufano and Aleksandra "Sana" Simanovsky. In Neptune's Democratic primary for two Township Committee seats, Robert Lane Jr. and Tassie York were ahead in unofficial results over Laura Riedel and Jeffry Lucien. In the Democratic primary race for a one-year unexpired term for Township Committee, Bryan Acciani led Jason A. Jones, according to unofficial results. There was no contest in the Sea Bright GOP primary. Incumbent Councilman Samuel A. Catalano received 118 votes and Paul E. LoBiondo received 115 votes. The results are unofficial. They will run in the General Election against Independent incumbent Councilwoman Heather Gorman for a pair of three-year seats. There were no candidates running for the Democratic party but there were 18 write-in ballots cast. There were no challengers in Sea Girt's GOP primary race. Incumbent Councilmember Tom Downey received 291 votes and Councilmember Bryan Perry received 288 votes. The results are unofficial. They will run in November's General Election to retain their three-year seats. While no candidates filed in the Democratic primary, there were nine write-in ballots cast. (includes the municipalities of Aberdeen, Atlantic Highlands, Hazlet, Highlands, Holmdel, Keansburg, Keyport, Little Silver, Marlboro, Middletown, Monmouth Beach, Oceanport, Rumson, Sea Bright, Union Beach, West Long Branch) Republicans incumbents Gerry Scharfenberger and Vicky Flynn outpolled challenger Rich Castaldo. Scharfenberger won 11,864; Flynn, 10,246; and Castaldo 8,358. Flynn and Scharfenberger will face Democrats Jason M. Corley Sr. and Vaibhave Gorige in November. This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Monmouth County NJ votes favoring incumbents in contested primaries