Clearwater, Fla.-(Newsradio 970 WFLA)-Clearwater Republican State Senator Jack Latvala has resigned today after being hit with sexual misconduct allegations. Those claims have a special master, appointed by the Florida Senate, calling for a criminal investigation.
In Latvala's resignation Letter, he says It has been his honor to serve the Tampa Bay area in the Florida Senate for 15 of the last 23 years. Latvala says he would never "intentionally dishonor his family, his constituents or the Florida Senate."
Latvala says "our country has been caught up in a movement to shine a spotlight on behavior that dishonors women." Latvala says he spent his entire career helping women advance in public service. Latvala also says his "political adversaries have latched onto this effort to rid our country of sexual harassment to try and rid the Florida Senate of me."
Latvala says the charges in the original complaint about him are fabrications. Latvala also claims the special master took the word of the accusers over his on every count.
Governor Rick Scott and others had called for Latvala to resign.
Photo courtesy Senator Jack Latvala