PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — Palm Beach County Clerk of Court and Comptroller Michael Caruso was arrested Tuesday on five felony charges involving the alleged sexual abuse of a child, Florida authorities said.
Caruso, 67, was arrested Aug. 18 with assistance from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and local police, according to Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier. The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities said additional charges are possible.
Gov. Ron DeSantis immediately suspended Caruso from office. Under the governor’s executive order, Caruso is barred from performing official duties or receiving pay during the suspension.
Caruso faces charges of kidnapping, lewd or lascivious molestation, lewd or lascivious exhibition, luring or enticing a child, and child abuse causing mental injury.
According to an FDLE arrest affidavit, the alleged victim is a boy under 12 who is related to Caruso. Investigators allege the abuse began in 2024 and continued into 2025, including during fishing trips and a family cruise aboard Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas.
The affidavit says that during the August 2025 cruise, Caruso separated the child from his parents after saying he would take him for ice cream. The boy was allegedly alone with Caruso for at least an hour and later told investigators that Caruso sexually assaulted him.
Investigators say Caruso acknowledged taking the child fishing and being alone with him during the cruise but denied sexually abusing him.
The child began receiving therapy in April. Investigators said a therapist reported responses consistent with trauma, and authorities allege the conduct caused mental injury.
A judge found probable cause for the five charges. Caruso is expected to be transported to the Orange County Jail and held without bond pending his first court appearance.
The allegations have not been proven in court. Caruso is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
