ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an executive order Wednesday that mentioned child abuse and molestation allegations made against Ninth Judicial Circuit Judge Jeffrey Ashton.
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The order said Ninth Judicial Circuit State Attorney Andrew Bain advised the governor’s office that allegations had been made, accusing Ashton of “lewd and lascivious molestation on a child under 16 and failure to report child abuse.”
But at this point no criminal charges have been filed against Ashton.
The Winter Park Police confirmed to Channel 9 that they are currently investigating criminal allegations made against Circuit Court Judge Jeffrey Ashton. Police also said because this is an active ongoing criminal investigation, they will not be commenting or providing any additional information at this time.
From the archives: Read: ‘I’ll never seek public office again,’ says State Attorney Jeff Ashton
The executive order said Bain has “voluntarily disqualified himself and has requested the executive assignment of another state attorney regarding the investigation and prosecution” of the case.
Criminal defense attorney Brian Pakett told Channel 9 that this is the logical move since prosecutors in Bain’s office are likely to either know Ashton personally or at least have had encounters with him.
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Because Bain recused himself from the investigation, Tenth Judicial Circuit State Attorney Brian Haas will instead handle the case, the order said.
Channel 9 has reached out to Ashton’s attorney and Haas’ office, seeking comment.
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Prior to being elected circuit judge, Ashton previously served as the Ninth Judicial Circuit state attorney.
Before that, he made a national name for himself as the lead prosecutor in the Casey Anthony case. Click here to read more about that.
Watch live updates on Channel 9 Eyewitness News.
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