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by Paige Meyer
PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — Suspended Palm Beach County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller Mike Caruso made his first appearance before a judge Wednesday morning after his arrest on multiple felony charges involving the alleged sexual abuse of a child under 12.
Circuit Judge Dolald Hafele denied Caruso bond, and he was extradited to Orlando, where he was booked into the Orange County Jail later Wednesday afternoon.
The judge also ruled that Caruso is to have no contact with the victim or the victim's family, and no contact with anyone under age 18. His next scheduled court check is Sept. 2.
Caruso, 67, appeared before a judge at 10 a.m. Wednesday. He remains in custody at the Palm Beach County Jail.
According to a probable cause affidavit from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the alleged victim is a family member and a boy under the age of 12.
Investigators said Caruso had regular, unsupervised access to the child because of their family relationship. The affidavit alleges the abuse occurred on multiple occasions, including in Palm Beach and Orange counties and during a family cruise in August 2025.
Caruso has denied the allegations, according to the affidavit.
CBS12 News reached out to Caruso's lawyers and received the following statement from Jason. S. Squire of Goldberg Weiss, P.A.:
"Mr. Caruso will not be speaking to anyone from the press.
"Mr. Caruso is innocent of these allegations and intends to vigorously defend himself against these charges.
"We look forward to his expeditious transfer to Orange County so that appropriate bond conditions can be set."
Following Caruso’s arrest, Gov. Ron DeSantis suspended him from his position as Palm Beach County clerk of court and comptroller.
Caruso is a former Republican state representative who served in the Florida House before DeSantis appointed him Palm Beach County clerk of court and comptroller in 2025.
Former Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg told CBS12 News that while investigators determined there was probable cause to make an arrest, prosecutors will now work to find additional evidence that could corroborate the allegations.
“These allegations are obviously shocking and really disturbing,” Aronberg said.
Aronberg said investigators could look for potential evidence connected to the cruise where some of the alleged abuse occurred, including surveillance video, witnesses and other records.
“Prosecutors will try to find corroborating evidence, and that means that there’s a lot of investigating that still needs to be done on the cruise ship, where allegedly some of this happened,” Aronberg said.
Aronberg emphasized that the legal standard required for an arrest is significantly different from what prosecutors would ultimately need to prove at trial. Caruso is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Caruso is facing multiple felony charges and could face life in prison if convicted of the most serious charges.
Palm Beach County has a new clerk and comptroller. On Monday, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Mike Caruso as the new Palm Beach County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller. According to the governor's release, Caruso is a representative in the Florida House of Representatives who served District 89 from 2018-2022 and District 87 since 2022. (Florida House of Representatives){ }
Palm Beach County has a new clerk and comptroller. On Monday, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Mike Caruso as the new Palm Beach County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller. According to the governor's release, Caruso is a representative in the Florida House of Representatives who served District 89 from 2018-2022 and District 87 since 2022. (Florida House of Representatives){ }
The arrest and suspension of Palm Beach County Clerk of Court and Comptroller Michael Caruso creates an immediate vacancy in the clerk’s office — but it does not automatically take his name off the November ballot. Republicans must select a replacement by Aug. 27, or his name will remain on the November ballot, with his votes going to the designated replacement.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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