this post was submitted on 20 Aug 2026
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politics

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Palm Beach County Clerk of Court Michael Caruso, a former Republican state legislator who previously backed the death penalty for adults convicted of sexually battering children under 12, was arrested Tuesday on five felony child sex abuse charges.

The 67-year-old married father of seven, who was appointed by Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, faces five felony counts: kidnapping, child molestation, lewd exhibition, luring or enticing a child and child abuse causing mental injury, an arrest affidavit shows.

Investigators in Florida say Caruso violated a child—who is a relative—and allege the abuse occurred multiple times from fall 2024 to August 2025, including on a family cruise, a fishing outing and during a Thanksgiving gathering. The child has been receiving therapeutic services since April 2026, according to the police affidavit.

Its always the ones you most suspect.

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[–] ChickenLadyLovesLife@lemmy.world 72 points 1 day ago* (last edited 18 hours ago) (4 children)

Dude has an iron-clad defense, though. Said it's only abuse if the child is the same sex and he likes women/girls. I really wish I were making that up.

Edit: wow, I actually totally misunderstood his absurd defense. He actually said "sexual deviancy is directed towards one sex rather than two" and since he's attracted to women (when the victim here was a boy) he can't possibly be a sex offender. I think we've finally found something so far gone that even MAGAts can't support it.

[–] Pollo_Jack@lemmy.world 4 points 15 hours ago
[–] benjirenji@slrpnk.net 17 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Not only a pedophile but also a sexist. But somehow that makes it better in Republican eyes.

[–] TheKingBombOmbKiller@lemmy.zip 18 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Not that I don't believe you, but do you have a source for that? It's so outrageous I need to see it myself.

[–] ChickenLadyLovesLife@lemmy.world 25 points 1 day ago (2 children)
[–] TrickDacy@lemmy.world 16 points 1 day ago (2 children)

🤢 That is one of the most disgusting claims I've seen. I'm normally against the death penalty but scum like this makes me question my stance.

[–] M137@lemmy.world 1 points 12 hours ago

Yeah, it's normal to generally be against it but some people just don't fit into that. It should be reserved for the most evil people.

[–] chewypoops@lemmy.world 18 points 1 day ago

I mean, he himself called for people like him to face the death penalty. I am anti death penalty, but I am also in favor of medically assisted suicide for those who fully consent, so if he's opting-in I say let's do it.

Thanks! Also, gross!

[–] TryingToBeGood@reddthat.com 7 points 23 hours ago