- An anonymous caller accused Michael Caruso of child molestation in a 2012 report to Florida authorities.

- Police and child services investigated the claims for just over a month before deeming the allegation unfounded.

 - Caruso was recently arrested on new, separate allegations of child molestation.

Caruso later referenced the short-lived investigation in his divorce proceedings. His attorneys told a judge his first wife had accused him of sexually abusing their young son despite having "full and complete knowledge that the allegations are not true."

Caruso was elected to the Florida House in 2018 and served until 2025. Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed him Palm Beach County clerk in August 2025, then later suspended him in the wake of his arrest. Asked whether the governor or his staff flagged any prior misconduct allegations while vetting Caruso, DeSantis said, "Of course not."

"He had a clean vet," DeSantis said. "He was well-regarded in the community."

Caruso remains in the Orange County Jail without bail on charges including kidnapping, child abuse and child molestation.