Clearwater, Fla. (970 WFLA) - A powerful state senator with ambitions to become Florida's governor flatly denied accusations that he sexually harassed female staffers and lobbyists for years.
State Sen. Jack Latvala (R-Clearwater) called a story "manufactured" that Politico published based on interviews with six anonymous women, five of whom claimed that Latvala had touched them inappropriately.
“It’s hard to confront anonymous accusers," Latvala said in a statement. "and even more difficult when the news is manufactured by a fake news entity like Politico who gave me less than a half hour to respond to this smear campaign."
Latvala promised to clear his name. Senate President Joe Negron ordered an internal investigation into the allegations against Latvala, who chairs the senate budget committee, and has begun a run for governor.