Last week the Hernando County Board of County Commissioners agreed to ask the Governor to suspend Commissioner Nicholson during their regularly scheduled commission meeting on April 24. On April 26, Mr. Nicholson sent a letter to the Governor asking him to temporarily suspend him as of July 17.
In swift response to the separate letters from Mr. Nicholson and the county commissioners, Gov. Scott ordered Mr. Nicholson’s immediate suspension on April 26, 2018. Here is Governor Scott’s Executive Order:
” STATE OF FLORIDA OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 18-121
(Executive Order of Suspension)
WHEREAS, Nicholas William Nicholson (Nicholson) is currently serving as County Commissioner for District One of the Hernando Board of County Commissioners in Hernando County, Florida; and
WHEREAS, on April 19, 2018, Nicholson was arrested based on an arrest warrant alleging that he committed the following offenses: two counts of purchasing the services of any person engaged in prostitution and one count of owning, maintaining, or operating any place, structure, building, or conveyance for the purpose of lewdness, assignation, or prostitution; and
WHEREAS, on April 26, 2018, Nicholson was charged by information with two counts of purchasing the services of any person engaged in prostitution and one count of owning, maintaining, or operating any place, structure, building, or conveyance for the purpose of lewdness, assignation, or prostitution; and
WHEREAS, Article IV, Section 7, Florida Constitution, provides that the Governor may suspend from office any county officer for malfeasance, misfeasance, neglect of duty, drunkenness, incompetence, permanent inability to perform official duties, or commission of a felony; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of the residents of Hernando County, and the citizens of the State of Florida, that Nicholson be immediately suspended from the public office he now holds, upon the grounds set forth in this executive order.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, RICK SCOTT, Governor of Florida, pursuant to Article IV, Section 7,
Florida Constitution, Florida Statues, find as follows:
A. Nicholas William Nicholson is, and at all times material hereto was, serving as County
Commissioner in and for Hernando County, Florida.
B. The office of County Commissioner for Hernando County, Florida, is within the purview of the suspension powers of the Governor, pursuant to Article N, Section 7, of the Florida Constitution.
C. On April 26, 2018, Nicholson was charged by information with two counts of purchasing the services of any person engaged in prostitution and one count of owning, maintaining, or operating any place, structure, building, or conveyance for the purpose of lewdness, assignation, or prostitution in violation of section 796.07, Florida Statutes,
D.Nicholson has committed malfeasance through the improper acts described above, as evidenced by the attached Information, which is incorporated as if fully stated in this Executive Order, necessitating his suspension from office.
BEING FULLY ADVISED in the premises, and in accordance with the Constitution and the laws of the State of Florida, this Executive Order is issued, effective immediately:
Section I. Nicholas William Nicholson is suspended from the public office that he now holds, to wit: County Commissioner, Hernando County, Florida.
Section 2. Nicholas William Nicholson is prohibited from performing any official act, duty, or function of public office; from receiving any pay or allowance; and from being entitled to any of the emoluments or privileges of public office during the period of this suspension, which period shall be from today, until a further Executive Order is issued, or as otherwise provided by law.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and have caused the Great Seal of the State of Florida to be affixed at Tallahassee, this 26th day of April, 2018.
/s/
RICK SCOTT,
GOVERNOR
ATTEST:
/s/
KEN DETZNER
Secretary of State “
Nicholson’s term is up in 2020. There has been some rumor about the Governor making an appointment for the district 1 seat, but nothing has yet been resolved as of the writing of this article.
