Today (Feb 22), prosecutors announced that after an exhaustive investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and a thorough review by Chief Assistant State Attorney Stacey Salmons (see below), no criminal charges would be filed in allegations leveled at State Representative Randy Fine by Brevard County School Board Member Jennifer Jenkins, and Publisher Robert Burns.

 

Jenkins and Burns alleged that between July and August of 2021, Fine had committed the offenses of Corruption by Threat Against a Public Servant; Cyberintimidation by Publication; Stalking; Residency Qualification Violations; Campaign Finance Violations; and Voter Fraud (Oct. 2019 - Nov. 2020). Those allegations principally surrounded Fine's use of social media to publish information about both Jenkins and her support of mask mandates in Brevard Schools, and Burns prior criminal history and association with an opponents political campaign to his constituents. Burns also alleged that Fine had failed to maintain a required residence within his district, and had voted illegally based on his reported addresses.

 

In a detailed ten page point by point analysis, Salmons explained that in each of the alleged offenses, the evidence did not support criminal intent by the defendant, the specific actions did not meet the elements of the crime that must be proven by the State, and or the actions were permitted under Florida law and the U.S. Constitution.

 

In a statement Mr. Archer added, "Although no criminal charges are being filed, I am concerned that the continued use of heated rhetoric on social media and public statements by both sides, could produce a volatile and dangerous escalation we should all seek to avoid."