Will grand jury block Monique Worrell from retaking State Attorney's post in Florida?

Cristóbal Reyes, Orlando Sentinel on Jan 3, 2025

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ORLANDO, Fla. — Days before she’s slated to return as the region’s top prosecutor, Orange-Osceola State Attorney-elect Monique Worrell quietly appeared with lawyers at the Polk County Courthouse on Friday, amid rumors of a grand jury investigation and speculation about what some believe is a last-ditch attempt to block her from taking office.

Worrell did not explain to reporters her surprising presence at a courthouse outside the Ninth Judicial District, saying only that she is readying for Tuesday’s swearing-in ceremony after more than a year fighting her suspension by Gov. Ron DeSantis — a battle that culminated in a thumping electoral victory last November against the current state attorney, DeSantis-appointee Andrew Bain. But Friday’s development had Democratic leaders in Orange County sounding the alarm.

“I know our news stations have to be careful on what they report out so let me cut to the chase: it seems that DeSantis is once again trying to remove (Worrell) as our State Attorney via a Special Prosecutor and Grand Jury convening in Polk County,” state Rep. Anna Eskamani, a Democrat, posted to Instagram Friday. “I have no idea on what grounds but this is incredibly alarming and the timing is super sus as Worrell is set to be sworn in early next week.”

Asked for her evidence, Eskamani pointed to a sealed executive order issued by DeSantis on Dec. 10. Whether that order targets Worrell, however, remains to be seen, nor will it be clear whether Worrell or someone from her previous administration is the aim of the supposed grand jury proceeding until a charging decision is made. In the run-up to the election, DeSantis repeatedly dodged questions about how he would respond to a Worrell victory even as polling indicated she would cruise to victory, which she ultimately did after garnering 57% of the vote.

Later Friday, Democratic members of the Orange County Legislative Delegation issued a joint statement saying they are “deeply troubled by the apparent state investigation” into Worrell.

“Any attempt to circumvent or disrupt her ability to perform her duties not only threatens the integrity of our democratic processes but also disenfranchises the voters who entrusted her with this responsibility,” the statement said in part.

When contacted by The Orlando Sentinel late Friday, Worrell declined to comment on Eskamani’s online remarks but said she is “looking forward to being sworn in on Tuesday,” in the same spot outside the Orange County Courthouse complex where she spoke following her suspension more than a year ago.

“I look forward to putting back in place the programs, policies and initiatives that led to the circuit’s lowest violent crime rate in years,” she added.

Representatives of the Orange-Osceola State Attorney’s Office did not respond to questions about Friday’s proceeding. WFTV reported Fifth Circuit State Attorney Bill Gladson, whose office covers Lake County among others, appeared at the courthouse around the same time as Worrell. Gladson’s office would not tell the Sentinel whether he was there for a grand jury proceeding.

The weeks since the election have kept Worrell and her allies on edge following a leaked agency-wide memo sent by Bain declaring he would not assist in the transition. The memo sparked fears Bain would seek to remain in office after his term ends, as it argued that Worrell was ineligible to take office since DeSantis did not rescind his suspension order after she won reelection. Bain’s office quickly backtracked after news reports about the memo’s contents.

But a grand jury indictment could change things. Under Florida law, the governor has the power to suspend a state official for the “commission of a felony.” DeSantis removed Worrell in August 2023 for incompetence and neglect of duty, arguing she failed to adequately prosecute drug trafficking and offenses involving firearms.

In the 15 months following her removal, Worrell and her supporters sought relief from the state and federal courts but her entreaties were denied, including by the Florida Supreme Court. The next step would have been to question the merits of the suspension before the Florida Senate, but she opted instead to cast her fate to the ballot box.

DeSantis has looked to Gladson in the past to intervene in legal matters originating in Orange and Osceola. Most prominently, in January 2020, the governor removed then-State Attorney Aramis Ayala from prosecuting Angel Rivera and his son Christopher Otero-Rivera for the killing of Nicole Montalvo, the mother of Otero-Rivera’s son.

Gladson’s office took over the case after Osceola’s then-Sheriff Russ Gibson raised concerns that Ayala’s office was dragging its feet in charging the two men with murder. The trial was ultimately prosecuted by Ryan Williams, currently Bain’s chief assistant state attorney.

DeSantis’ order putting that case and others in the hands of Gladson’s office was renewed Dec. 13, three days after the sealed order was issued.

(Staff writer Jeffrey Schweers contributed to this report.)