9 Investigates future of State Attorney's Office

ORLANDO, Fla. — 9 Investigates confirmed that the incoming state attorney for the Ninth Judicial Circuit is shaking up the office, sending letters to more than a dozen employees letting them know they will not be retained after the first of the year.

In August, attorney Aramis Ayala defeated State Attorney Jeff Ashton in the Democratic Primary.

Ayala ran unopposed in the November general election, and she will officially take over the office in January.

9 Investigates learned that up to 18 employees, mostly attorneys, within the Ninth Judicial Circuit, were sent letters by Ayala informing them they would not be retained by her office.

"I campaigned on delivering a higher level of integrity and ethics to the State Attorney's Office,” wrote State Attorney-Elect Ayala in statement to 9 Investigates. “Part of fulfilling that promise is raising the standard of expectations for the professionals in the office. We will continue to work with the current administration to make the process as smooth as possible, but the voters of Orange and Osceola counties voted for change and I intend to deliver it."

It is unclear if outgoing employees were given an opportunity to interview to keep their jobs or if Ayala already has replacements lined up to take the positions.

What is known is that changes like this are not unusual.

In 2012, when Jeff Ashton was elected as state attorney, Jeff Ashton sent similar letters to 11 people in the State Attorney’s Office.

“It is standard operating procedure,” said WFTV Legal Analyst Judge Belvin Perry. “Every office holder comes in and makes their imprint on the office, which includes installing the team that they are comfortable with that can help them carry out their mission.”

Judge Perry spent 11 years in the State Attorney’s Office, serving all 11 years under State Attorney Robert Eagan.

“There is a thing called ‘continuity’ and the cases must roll on,” said Perry. “Trials are set months in advance and that’s why continuity is important, that the office keeps rolling.”

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Cox Media Group