Governor Ron DeSantis is not shy when using his power to suspend public officials charged with crimes.
Last night, Gov. DeSantis signed an Executive Order suspending Patty Lee Cummings from her position as City Councilwoman of the City of Cape Coral.
"On November 16, 2023, Patty Lee Cummings was charged with one count of Fraudulent Application for License, a third-degree felony under section 322.212(5), Florida Statutes, and two counts of False Swearing in Connection with or Arising out of Voting, a third-degree felony under section 104.011(1), Florida Statutes," wrote Jason Mahon Director of Communications for DeSantis.
Cummings won a seat in District 4 last November, but it is alleged she was actually residing in District 2 and lied about it on official documents.
Earlier this year DeSantis suspended Republican Miami City Commissioner Alex Díaz de la Portilla after he was charged following a corruption probe. Just a few days later DeSantis suspended Kirk B. Reams, a Republican, from his position as Clerk of the Courts for Jefferson County just hours after his arrest.
DeSantis has promised to fulfill former President Trump's promise to "Drain the Swamp" if elected President. He even promised to use the Department of Justice to go after what he calls "rogue prosecutors" failing to uphold the law. DeSantis famously suspended two Florida State Attorneys whose campaigns took money from Leftist billionaire George Soros for failing to uphold their oaths of office. Their suspensions have been held up in court.
An attorney for Cummings sent a memo to local media defending his client and putting faith in the system to clear his client.
“City Council member Patty Cummings was duly elected by her constituents. Her campaign victory, while a surprise to much of the local political machine, struck a blow for individual liberty, small business, and the hardworking citizens of the City of Cape Coral,” wrote attorney Paul Sisco. "We cannot and will not comment directly on the facts of ongoing litigation. Instead, we will rely on one of America’s greatest ideals, the Due Process which our Constitution guarantees. As for now, if anyone wishes for her not to participate on behalf of her constituents, you will need to beat her in an election.”
