PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — Palm Beach County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller Michael Caruso was arrested Tuesday on five felony charges in connection with allegations of child sexual abuse, according to Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier.
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In a post on X, Uthmeier said Caruso’s arrest was made with “substantial assistance” from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and local law enforcement.
“Being in a position of public trust provides no shield from accountability,” Uthmeier said.
Authorities said Caruso, 67, of Riviera Beach, was immediately suspended from office by Gov. Ron DeSantis following his arrest.
They said Caruso is prohibited from performing any official act or function and from receiving any pay or allowances while suspended.
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Jail records show Caruso is facing charges that include kidnapping, lewd or lascivious molestation, lewd or lascivious exhibition, luring or enticing a child, and child abuse involving mental injury.
An arrest warrant obtained by Local 10 News states that the victim, who is under the age of 12 and is known to Caruso, claimed that Caruso engaged in sexual activity with him on two separate occasions — once around Thanksgiving in 2024 and again during a family cruise in August 2025.
Caruso was seeking re-election to remain Palm Beach County’s clerk of the circuit court and comptroller, a position DeSantis appointed him to last August.
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Authorities said Caruso is set to be transported to the Orange County Corrections Department and held without bond pending his first appearance, which is scheduled for Wednesday at 10 a.m.
“This arrest is a decisive line in the sand. When someone targets a child, they don’t just break the law — they shatter a community’s trust. We intend to make sure this survivor’s voice is heard through every step of this process,” said Lisa Haba of The Haba Law Firm, the victim’s attorney, in a statement to Local 10 News.
The Palm Beach County Clerk of Court’s Office also issued this statement to Local 10 News following Caruso’s arrest:
“This morning, our office was notified that Clerk Mike Caruso was arrested on serious criminal charges. We are awaiting additional information from the Governor’s office on next steps.
While this is surprising news for our entire team, it does not change who we are at the Clerk’s office or our commitment to the community and customers we serve.
For decades, the Clerk’s office in Palm Beach County has consistently stood for professionalism and outstanding service for our customers. That focus remains for every one of our 650 employees.”
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