Florida state attorney Monique Worrell has alleged that her removal from office is “imminent”, after receiving a phone call warning that she could be suspended again by Governor Ron DeSantis.
Worrell made the claim at a news conference in Orlando on Tuesday, September 1, but did not identify the caller. There had been no public announcement from DeSantis confirming plans to remove her.
She said the warning could be linked to her office’s interest in the Hope Florida controversy, which has returned to the spotlight following the leak of a grand jury report examining the handling of $10 million from a Medicaid settlement.
The report found insufficient evidence to bring criminal charges, but Worrell said her office had received information about where some of the money was spent. She suggested her investigation could be connected to any attempt to remove her.
“Let me be completely clear: If I am removed from office, it will not be because I’m not doing my job,” Worrell said. “It will be because of concerns of what doing our job would look like for people on the other end of that removal.”
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, who has criticised Worrell’s handling of criminal cases, said he knew nothing about any planned suspension. He told reporters that prosecutors should seek tough sentences for people who kill or attempt to kill others.
DeSantis suspended Worrell in August 2023, accusing her of neglect of duty and incompetence in the prosecution of crimes. He appointed former Orange County circuit judge Andrew Bain to replace her.
Worrell subsequently stood for election again and won back the state attorney’s post in 2024. Her office covers Florida’s Ninth Judicial Circuit, including Orange and Osceola counties.
