With the dispute again playing out in the Senate, a special master will hold a case-management conference Wednesday in the battle about Gov. Ron DeSantis’ decision to suspend Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel.
Special Master Dudley Goodlette, a former state House member, was appointed by Senate President Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, to preside over an appeal by Israel as the Senate has constitutional authority to reinstate or remove elected officials.
The Senate case was temporarily put on hold when Israel also challenged his suspension in court. But the Florida Supreme Court last week rejected that challenge.
DeSantis issued the suspension shortly after taking office in January, accusing the sheriff of “neglect of duty” and “incompetence” related to two mass shootings in Broward County, the February 2018 massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and the January 2017 mass shooting at the Fort Lauderdale airport.
But Israel’s lawyers have accused DeSantis of “an executive power grab” that interfered with the public’s right to determine their elected officials and Israel’s right to execute his duties of office.
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