TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — A Republican state representative from Central Florida has been indicted on felony fraud charges related to his administration at a private Christian school he helped run with his family.
Carolina Amesty, 29, turned herself in to Orange County Jail officials Thursday and was booked on four felony counts. This came after a grand jury found that Amesty forged the man’s signature on a document he notarized in 2021 while working as an administrator at his family’s Central Christian Academy, according to State Attorney Andrew Bain. The alleged forgery occurred before Amesty was elected to the Florida House of Representatives.
Each of the charges are third-degree felonies punishable by up to five years in prison and $5,000 in fines.
The charges against Amesty — who is currently running for office in a district west of Orlando — follow an investigation by the Orlando Sentinel into Amesty’s background, financial practices and role at the family-owned school.
Reached by phone, Amesty declined to answer questions from The Associated Press, but referred to a statement posted on social media platform X.
“This prosecution, initiated just weeks before the absentee ballots were rejected, is based on misleading reports by a partisan newspaper about the notarization of an employee’s background check report,” reads Amesty’s campaign statement. “Adjuster Amesty is demanding a speedy trial, looking forward to his day in court and confident in his publicity.”
Elected to the Florida House for the first time in 2022, Amesty touted herself as a successful businesswoman and staunch supporter of former President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. He won the race district that represents parts of Orange and Osceola counties, including Walt Disney World.
After the indictment, the Florida Democratic Party called for Amestya to resign.
“Carolina Amesty cannot effectively represent the people of House District 45 in defending herself against crimes,” party chairwoman Nikki Fried said. “He should resign immediately, and if he refuses to take responsibility for his actions, we will demand that the Florida House of Representatives impeach him.”
A spokesman for the Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives did not respond to a request for comment by deadline.
___ Kate Payne is a member of The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places reporters in local newsrooms to report on classified issues.
