Orange-Osceola State Attorney Monique Worrell took to the podium Tuesday afternoon to address swirling rumors that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is preparing to suspend her from office — again.
“I’ve heard rumors that the governor once again wants to interfere with the will of the people and remove me from office,” Worrell said. “Twice elected by an overwhelming majority, elected by the people and for the people.”
The news conference came following a tip Worrell said she received Monday night.
“Last night at around 10:30, I received a phone call from someone telling me that my removal was imminent and that I was going to be replaced with an assistant statewide prosecutor who used to work in this office,” she said.
News 6 asked Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier about the rumored suspension during a separate news conference on Tuesday.
“If that’s happening now, the governor didn’t let me know,” Uthmeier said in response.
Worrell did not just respond to the rumors — she defended her office record.
During the most recent quarter, Worrell said her office reported an 80% overall conviction rate, and conviction rates climbed even higher in specific categories: 88% for property crimes, 82% for violent felony crimes, and 100% for both economic crimes and homicide cases.
She also pointed to crime trends across her jurisdiction. Through the first half of this year, shootings in Orlando were down 33%, and overall violent crime, burglaries and car thefts declined as well. In Orange County, crime dropped 28%.
“These are not my statistics,” Worrell said. “Check with local law enforcement. They will tell you those aren’t political talking points. Those are results.”
Worrell also highlighted recent high-profile convictions from her office, including a guilty verdict against Jalen Edgar, described as the man responsible for a deadly mass shooting in downtown Orlando on Halloween.
Worrell, a Democrat, was first elected state attorney in 2020, after serving as director of the Ninth Circuit’s Conviction Integrity Unit, created by the previous state attorney to prevent, identify, and resolve false convictions.
DeSantis suspended her in 2023 over her approach to the office of chief prosecutor. He appointed Andrew Bain to take her seat.
The governor accused Worrell of dereliction of duty in prosecuting cases.
“One’s political agenda cannot trump this solemn duty. Refusing to faithfully enforce the laws of Florida puts our communities in danger and victimizes innocent Floridians,” DeSantis said.
In response, Worrell lambasted the suspension as a political attack by DeSantis.
Worrell was reelected state attorney by voters in 2024, defeating Bain.