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State Attorney Worrell Clashes with Florida Officials Over Prosecutorial Decisions
State Attorney Monique Worrell has issued a strongly-worded letter to Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier and Governor Ron DeSantis, demanding they cease what she describes as a “campaign of misinformation and intimidation” regarding her prosecutorial decisions.
The five-page letter, sent Wednesday, comes after weeks of public criticism from Uthmeier, who has highlighted several cases in which he claims Worrell failed to adequately prosecute criminal defendants.
“Your recent public statements erode public trust, intentionally mislead Floridians, and endanger the very rule of law you are sworn to uphold,” Worrell wrote to Uthmeier.
The tension between Worrell and Florida’s top officials has a contentious history. In August 2023, Governor DeSantis suspended Worrell from office, citing similar concerns about her prosecution record. Though Worrell’s legal challenge to be reinstated was unsuccessful at the time, she ultimately won back her position when voters re-elected her in November 2024.
In her letter, Worrell systematically addressed and rebutted Uthmeier’s criticisms of her handling of several high-profile cases, including State v. Tina Allgeo, State v. Kevin W. Chapman, and State v. Thomas L. Dolgos.
The Allgeo case has drawn particular attention. Uthmeier previously called on Worrell to reconsider prosecuting Allgeo, who faces second-degree murder charges stemming from a deadly road rage incident in December 2024. According to prosecutors, Mihail Tzvetkov struck Allgeo’s car and drove away from the initial accident. Allgeo allegedly followed him and hit his car from behind, after which Tzvetkov exited his vehicle, opened Allgeo’s car door, and punched her.
Uthmeier argued that Tzvetkov’s actions gave Allgeo the right to defend herself with a legally acquired firearm under Florida’s “stand your ground” laws. However, Worrell has maintained that Allgeo’s decision to pursue Tzvetkov and strike his vehicle constituted a “forcible felony,” which nullifies her self-defense claim.
“She intentionally struck his vehicle after he left the initial encounter,” Worrell explained in March. “That is a forcible felony, which prohibits her from self-defense.”
Regarding the Chapman case, Worrell explained that prosecution was not possible because Florida law requires proof that a child witnessed the lewd or lascivious act in question.
“Under §800.04(7)(a), Florida Statutes, and State v. Werner, a conviction for lewd or lascivious exhibition requires proof that a child actually saw or sensed the act,” Worrell wrote. “In this case, the child was interviewed by trained forensic specialists and did not recall witnessing the alleged act. Without that element, the statute cannot be satisfied, and it would be illegal for my office to proceed.”
Worrell characterized Uthmeier’s repeated public comments on her prosecution record as “defamatory and dangerous,” arguing they not only mislead the public about ongoing cases but also compromise the safety of her staff and witnesses while damaging her professional reputation.
“They undermine my ability to execute my absolute authority as State Attorney,” she added.
The conflict highlights ongoing tensions between state-level Republican officials and locally elected Democratic prosecutors in Florida, a dynamic playing out in several states across the country. Critics of DeSantis have previously argued that his suspension of Worrell represented an overreach of executive authority and disregard for the will of voters in her judicial district.
Worrell concluded her letter by urging Uthmeier to bring his concerns to her directly and to work collaboratively to protect Florida residents.
“You and I may hold different views about justice, but our oaths are the same, to uphold the Constitution and protect the people of Florida,” she wrote.
As of publication, neither Governor DeSantis nor Attorney General Uthmeier had responded to requests for comment on Worrell’s letter.
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14 Comments
The back-and-forth between the state attorney and Florida officials raises some concerning questions about the state of the criminal justice system in the region. I hope constructive dialogue can help resolve the issues.
Agreed, open and transparent communication is crucial for restoring public trust in the process.
The public trust and rule of law are so important, especially when it comes to the justice system. I hope both sides can work to resolve this dispute constructively and transparently.
Agreed, open communication and accountability from all parties involved will be key to finding a resolution.
This dispute highlights the importance of maintaining separation of powers and ensuring prosecutors can do their jobs without undue political interference. I’ll be following this story closely.
The state attorney’s letter is a strong response to the accusations from Florida officials. I’ll be interested to see how they address the specific issues she has raised.
It’s good to see the state attorney pushing back against what she sees as a ‘campaign of misinformation.’ Prosecutorial independence is vital for upholding the rule of law.
Allegations of misinformation and intimidation are serious. I hope a thorough investigation can get to the bottom of the issues and determine the facts of the matter.
Absolutely, the truth needs to come out so the public can have confidence in the integrity of the justice system.
This seems like a complex political dispute between the state attorney and Florida officials. I’m curious to learn more about the specific cases and prosecutorial decisions at the heart of this conflict.
Yes, the details around the allegations of ‘misinformation and intimidation’ would be helpful to understand the full context here.
This dispute highlights the complex and sometimes contentious nature of the relationship between elected officials and law enforcement. I’ll be following developments closely to see how it plays out.
Absolutely, the balance of power and accountability between different branches of government is critical in a democracy.
It’s concerning to hear about the ongoing tensions and clash between the state attorney and Florida officials. I’ll be interested to see how this plays out and whether any common ground can be found.