DeSantis suspends North Miami Beach mayor for alleged voter fraud

Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday suspended North Miami Beach Democratic Mayor Anthony DeFillipo after his arrest on charges of illegal voting.

Authorities arrested DeFilllipo on Wednesday, charging him with three counts of an unqualified elector willfully voting, according to NBC Miami. The governor has the authority to remove local officials for various acts of misconduct, though the Florida Senate must determine DeFillipo's ultimate fate.

DeSantis removed him via executive order, saying "[i]t is in the best interests of the residents of the City of North Miami Beach, and the citizens of the State of Florida, that Anthony F. DeFillipo II be immediately suspended from the public office which he now holds."

The charges stem from DeFillipo's purchase and occupation of a home outside of the municipality in which he voted. He claims he bought the home for his family to use while he struggled with marital troubles. Authorities, however, insist that the home became his primary residence and that he voted three times in North Miami Beach in 2022, despite no longer being qualified to do so.

He faces 15 years in prison, if convicted on all three charges.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on Twitter.