Gov. Ron DeSantis on suspended Broward sheriff: 'Scott Israel continues to live in denial'

[lakelandman]

https://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/brow ... 6ONL_glvN4

Gov. Ron DeSantis blasted suspended Broward Sheriff Scott Israel on Friday, after Israel’s attorneys filed an appeal of a judge’s ruling that the governor had the authority to remove him from office.

“Scott Israel continues to live in denial,” DeSantis said in a statement issued Friday. “The court has recognized my authority as governor to suspend him for neglect of duty and incompetence and this appeal is just his latest delay tactic.”

DeSantis said he’s so confident of his legal authority to remove Israel that he wants the case to go to the state Supreme Court right away, bypassing the appellate court. In a court filing, the governor’s office said the issue should be resolved by the Supreme Court “sooner, rather than later.”

On Thursday, Broward Circuit Judge David Haimes upheld DeSantis’ use of his executive authority. Israel’s four-sentence notice of appeal, filed Friday morning, doesn’t specify grounds. It simply states that Israel is appealing and attaches a copy of Haimes’ order.

Senate president puts suspended Sheriff Scott Israel's hearing on hold
Israel’s attorneys, Ben Kuehne and Stuart Kaplan, outlined their argument in a statement.

“The constitutional question involving the governor’s political use of the limited suspension power is so very important that it should be resolved by Florida’s appellate courts,” they said. “This is not merely an issue for Sheriff Israel, whose removal resulted from the governor’s election campaign political deal-making. It also represents an unprecedented use of the suspension power to disenfranchise the voters, who alone hold the authority to determine their elected officials.”

One result of the appeal is delaying action in the Florida Senate, where the annual legislative session is scheduled to adjourn May 3. The Senate, which must vote on DeSantis’ suspension, has halted any action until court challenges by Israel are completed. In a memo to senators Thursday afternoon, Senate President Bill Galvano reminded them that “the matter is in abeyance until all appeals are exhausted or have been definitively taken off the table.”

DeSantis cited the timetable in his filing Friday afternoon with the Fourth District Court of Appeal, asking for expedited consideration to move the case to the state Supreme Court. DeSantis said he wants “a final ruling so that the Senate can resume the process of formally removing him.”

A delay, DeSantis’ filing states, “limits the Florida Senate from carrying out constitutionally prescribed responsibility in the suspension and removal process.”

Scott Israel supporters hope to mobilize opposition to Gov. Ron DeSantis, called ‘DeSatan’ by key organizer
Israel came under criticism after the February 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. In suspending him, DeSantis said lessons that should have been learned from the 2017 shooting at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport never were implemented, leading to a disorganized response in Parkland that cost lives and eroded trust in the Broward Sheriff’s Office.

Israel wanted Haimes to declare that DeSantis had overstepped his authority.

With the judge’s decision, Israel’s most likely hope of returning to office before 2020 rests with the Republican-led Florida Senate, which can overturn or affirm the Repuplican governor’s decision. Otherwise, Israel said he’ll leave it up to the county’s voters by running for re-election.

Israel said he didn’t have an expectation about what Haimes would do. “I didn’t have any preconceived notions one way or another. I’ve been in court long enough to know that one way or another judges make decisions. Respect the judge’s decision and we’ll see what’s next.”

On Thursday, Kuehne said an appeal was coming.

Great News...

[Chigger]

Exactly who would be Israel supporters, anyone who didn't vote for DeSantis?

[REDinFL]

They’ll “find” some.

[GunsandHoses]

“What’s next” is you finding another job shitbag!

[TC6969]

Hillary Clinton syndrome at its finest!

[Dr. Dickie]

Exactly who would be Israel supporters, anyone who didn't vote for DeSantis?

Wasn't he elected to that office?
His lawyers do have a point, if he was elected, then the idiots spoke.

[Skoll]

For those of you who don't know, South Florida is a liberal hell hole. He probably would get re-elected.

[P5 Guy]

Exactly who would be Israel supporters, anyone who didn't vote for DeSantis?

All the transplants from the northeast, if the accent isn't spanish its bronx.

[photohause]

[Greg]

The problem w him getting re-elected is the current sheriff whom took over is also a Democrat like Israel and he’s already set in place for the job w no scandals so far