Michael Caruso arrested on child sexual abuse and kidnapping charges

Michael Caruso, the Palm Beach County Clerk of Court and Comptroller and a former Florida state lawmaker, was arrested Tuesday on five felony charges related to child sexual abuse. The charges include kidnapping, lewd or lascivious molestation, lewd or lascivious exhibition, luring or enticing a child, and child abuse causing mental injury.

Following the arrest by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and local police, Governor Ron DeSantis immediately suspended Caruso from his official duties. The suspension order prohibits Caruso from performing any official acts, receiving pay, or accessing the privileges of his public office.

According to arrest affidavits, the investigation into the alleged abuse of a young relative under the age of 12 includes incidents occurring during a family cruise in August 2025, as well as separate incidents during a fishing trip and around Thanksgiving 2024. The investigation was reportedly prompted by suspicious behavior observed by the child's father.

Caruso, a Republican and political ally of Governor DeSantis, was appointed to his current position by the Governor in August 2025 after resigning from the Florida House of Representatives. He was running unopposed for re-election in the upcoming November election.