Palm Beach County Clerk Of Courts Mike Caruso Arrested, Charged With Child Sex Abuse

GOVERNOR SUSPENDS, LISTS CHARGES. READ THE EXECUTIVE ORDER, ARREST REPORT.

UPDATE #5 at 5:05 p.m. — The arrest report is part of the Governor’s order which we have had online since 9:57 this morning. To read it, just scroll down to the PDF of the Governor’s order and scroll through the document.

UPDATE #4 at 3:02 p.m. — Caruso’s child sex abuse charges were apparently filed in Orange County, Florida. He remains in custody of the Palm Beach County Jail and will be extradited.

UPDATE #3 at 12:45 p.m. — A new clerk has been named and sworn-in. Here is the official statement: “Shannon Ramsey-Chessman has been named Clerk Ad Interim for Palm Beach County, under an administrative order issued Tuesday by Chief Judge Glenn Kelley of the 15th Judicial Circuit. Ramsey-Chessman has served as Chief Deputy Clerk, Chief of Staff and Chief Information Officer for the Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller, Palm Beach County, since January 2021. She previously served as the office’s Chief Operating Officer, Chief Operating Officer of Finance, Director of Finance Services and Manager of Budget and Financial Analysis. Her 29 years of public sector experience also includes working with Palm Beach County’s Office of Financial Management and Budget, the 15th Judicial Circuit, and the Martin County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller.

Ramsey-Chessman served as president for the Florida Government Finance Officers Association from June 2021 to June 2022 and previously served on the organization’s leadership team as Secretary/Treasurer. She is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a Certified Government Finance Officer (CGFO) with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Florida Atlantic University. Ramsey-Chessman’s appointment is effective August 18, 2026. Under Florida Statute 28.09, the Chief Judge appoints a Clerk Ad Interim to serve once there is a vacancy for Clerk.”

UPDATE #2 at 9:57 a.m. — Florida Governor Ron DeSantis just suspended Mike Caruso and listed the specific charges: “Michael Allen Caruso was arrested on August 18, 2026, and charged with the following five felony counts: kidnapping in violation of section 775. 084, Fla. Stat. ; lewd or lascivious molestation in violation of section 800.04(5), Fla. Stat.; lewd or lascivious exhibition in violation of section 800. 04(7), Fla. Stat. ; luring or enticing a child in violation of section 787. 025, Fla. Stat. ; and child abuse (mental injury) in violation section 827.03(2)(c), Fla. Stat.” Read the complete executive order at the end of this report.

UPDATE #1 at 9:55 a.m. — The Clerk’s office just issued this statement: “This morning, our office was notified that Clerk Mike Caruso was arrested on serious criminal charges. We are awaiting additional information from the Governor’s office on next steps. 

While this is surprising news for our entire team, it does not change who we are at the Clerk’s office or our commitment to the community and customers we serve.

For decades, the Clerk’s office in Palm Beach County has consistently stood for professionalism and outstanding service for our customers. That focus remains for every one of our 650 employees.”

BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2026 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — Palm Beach County Clerk of Courts Mike Caruso was arrested this morning, according to Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier. His office issued this statement:

“Early this morning, with substantial assistance from FDLE and local law enforcement, Palm Beach County Clerk of Court Michael Caruso was arrested on charges related to child sexual abuse.

The investigation is ongoing, and we will provide more information to the public at the appropriate time.”