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Florida Statute 112.3173 | Lawyer Caselaw & Research
F.S. 112.3173 Case Law from Google Scholar
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The 2023 Florida Statutes (including Special Session C)

Title X
PUBLIC OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AND RECORDS
Chapter 112
PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES: GENERAL PROVISIONS
View Entire Chapter
F.S. 112.3173
112.3173 Felonies involving breach of public trust and other specified offenses by public officers and employees; forfeiture of retirement benefits.
(1) INTENT.It is the intent of the Legislature to implement the provisions of s. 8(d), Art. II of the State Constitution.
(2) DEFINITIONS.As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires, the term:
(a) “Conviction” and “convicted” mean an adjudication of guilt by a court of competent jurisdiction; a plea of guilty or of nolo contendere; a jury verdict of guilty when adjudication of guilt is withheld and the accused is placed on probation; or a conviction by the Senate of an impeachable offense.
(b) “Court” means any state or federal court of competent jurisdiction which is exercising its jurisdiction to consider a proceeding involving the alleged commission of a specified offense.
(c) “Public officer or employee” means an officer or employee of any public body, political subdivision, or public instrumentality within the state.
(d) “Public retirement system” means any retirement system or plan to which the provisions of part VII of this chapter apply.
(e) “Specified offense” means:
1. The committing, aiding, or abetting of an embezzlement of public funds;
2. The committing, aiding, or abetting of any theft by a public officer or employee from his or her employer;
3. Bribery in connection with the employment of a public officer or employee;
4. Any felony specified in chapter 838, except ss. 838.15 and 838.16;
5. The committing of an impeachable offense;
6. The committing of any felony by a public officer or employee who, willfully and with intent to defraud the public or the public agency for which the public officer or employee acts or in which he or she is employed of the right to receive the faithful performance of his or her duty as a public officer or employee, realizes or obtains, or attempts to realize or obtain, a profit, gain, or advantage for himself or herself or for some other person through the use or attempted use of the power, rights, privileges, duties, or position of his or her public office or employment position; or
7. The committing on or after October 1, 2008, of any felony defined in s. 800.04 against a victim younger than 16 years of age, or any felony defined in chapter 794 against a victim younger than 18 years of age, by a public officer or employee through the use or attempted use of power, rights, privileges, duties, or position of his or her public office or employment position.
(3) FORFEITURE.Any public officer or employee who is convicted of a specified offense committed prior to retirement, or whose office or employment is terminated by reason of his or her admitted commission, aid, or abetment of a specified offense, shall forfeit all rights and benefits under any public retirement system of which he or she is a member, except for the return of his or her accumulated contributions as of the date of termination.
(4) NOTICE.
(a) The clerk of a court in which a proceeding involving a specified offense is being conducted against a public officer or employee shall furnish notice of the proceeding to the Commission on Ethics after the state attorney advises the clerk that the defendant is a public officer or employee and that the defendant is alleged to have committed a specified offense. Such notice is sufficient if it is in the form of a copy of the indictment, information, or other document containing the charges. In addition, if a verdict of guilty is returned by a jury or by the court trying the case without a jury, or a plea of guilty or of nolo contendere is entered in the court by the public officer or employee, the clerk shall furnish a copy thereof to the Commission on Ethics.
(b) The Secretary of the Senate shall furnish to the Commission on Ethics notice of any proceeding of impeachment being conducted by the Senate. In addition, if such trial results in conviction, the Secretary of the Senate shall furnish notice of the conviction to the commission.
(c) The employer of any member whose office or employment is terminated by reason of his or her admitted commission, aid, or abetment of a specified offense shall forward notice thereof to the commission.
(d) The Commission on Ethics shall forward any notice and any other document received by it pursuant to this subsection to the governing body of the public retirement system of which the public officer or employee is a member or from which the public officer or employee may be entitled to receive a benefit. When called on by the Commission on Ethics, the Department of Management Services shall assist the commission in identifying the appropriate public retirement system.
(5) FORFEITURE DETERMINATION.
(a) Whenever the official or board responsible for paying benefits under a public retirement system receives notice pursuant to subsection (4), or otherwise has reason to believe that the rights and privileges of any person under such system are required to be forfeited under this section, such official or board shall give notice and hold a hearing in accordance with chapter 120 for the purpose of determining whether such rights and privileges are required to be forfeited. If the official or board determines that such rights and privileges are required to be forfeited, the official or board shall order such rights and privileges forfeited.
(b) Any order of forfeiture of retirement system rights and privileges is appealable to the district court of appeal.
(c) The payment of retirement benefits ordered forfeited, except payments drawn from nonemployer contributions to the retiree’s account, shall be stayed pending an appeal as to a felony conviction. If such conviction is reversed, no retirement benefits shall be forfeited. If such conviction is affirmed, retirement benefits shall be forfeited as ordered in this section.
(d) If any person’s rights and privileges under a public retirement system are forfeited pursuant to this section and that person has received benefits from the system in excess of his or her accumulated contributions, such person shall pay back to the system the amount of the benefits received in excess of his or her accumulated contributions. If he or she fails to pay back such amount, the official or board responsible for paying benefits pursuant to the retirement system or pension plan may bring an action in circuit court to recover such amount, plus court costs.
(6) FORFEITURE NONEXCLUSIVE.
(a) The forfeiture of retirement rights and privileges pursuant to this section is supplemental to any other forfeiture requirements provided by law.
(b) This section does not preclude or otherwise limit the Commission on Ethics in conducting under authority of other law an independent investigation of a complaint which it may receive against a public officer or employee involving a specified offense.
History.s. 14, ch. 84-266; s. 4, ch. 90-301; s. 44, ch. 92-279; s. 55, ch. 92-326; s. 22, ch. 94-249; s. 1414, ch. 95-147; s. 13, ch. 99-255; s. 3, ch. 2008-108; s. 14, ch. 2012-100.

F.S. 112.3173 on Google Scholar

F.S. 112.3173 on Casetext

Amendments to 112.3173


Arrestable Offenses / Crimes under Fla. Stat. 112.3173
Level: Degree
Misdemeanor/Felony: First/Second/Third

Current data shows no reason an arrest or criminal charge should have occurred directly under Florida Statute 112.3173.



Annotations, Discussions, Cases:

Cases from cite.case.law:

CUENCA, v. STATE BOARD OF ADMINISTRATION,, 259 So. 3d 253 (Fla. App. Ct. 2018)

. . . order entered by the State Board of Administration ("State Board"), concluding that pursuant to section 112.3173 . . . AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY On February 7, 2017, the State Board notified Cuenca that pursuant to section 112.3173 . . . As such, the requirements of Section 112.3173(2)(e) 6., Florida Statutes, are satisfied, and [Cuenca's . . . To implement this provision, the Florida Legislature enacted section 112.3173, which provides, in part . . . Section 112.3173(2)(a), Florida Statutes (2012), provides as follows: (2) DEFINITIONS. . . .

UNITED STATES v. CLARKE,, 822 F.3d 1213 (11th Cir. 2016)

. . . See, e.g., § 112.3173, Fla. Stat. . . .

RIVERA, v. BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF CITY OF TAMPA S GENERAL EMPLOYMENT RETIREMENT FUND,, 189 So. 3d 207 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2016)

. . . order terminating and forfeiting all of his accrued retirement benefits in accordance with section 112.3173 . . . Rivera had committed specified offenses as described in section 112.3173(2)(e)(7). • Mr. . . . Rivera had pleaded guilty to and had been convicted of specified offenses as defined in section 112.3173 . . . Section 112.3173(3) implements the constitutional provision as follows: Forfeiture. — Any public officer . . . We have jurisdiction under Florida Rule of Appellate Procedure 9.030(b)(1)(C), section 112.3173(5)(b) . . .

CLARKE, v. UNITED STATES, 184 So. 3d 1107 (Fla. 2016)

. . . See, e.g., § 112.3173, Fla. Stat. . . .

G. BOLLONE, v. DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT SERVICES, DIVISION OF RETIREMENT,, 100 So. 3d 1276 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2012)

. . . public employee convicted of a specified offense committed prior to retirement pursuant to section 112.3173 . . . See § 112.3173(2)(e)1.-5., 7. . . . The ALJ properly determined that the specified offenses proscribed in sections 112.3173(2)(e)1.-5. do . . . In order to constitute a “specified offense” under section 112.3173(2)(e)6., the criminal acts must be . . . Section 112.3173(2)(e)6. does not provide that only economic gain can be considered personal gain. . . .

BROCK, v. DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT SERVICES,, 98 So. 3d 771 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2012)

. . . The former employee appeals the Department’s final order concluding that, pursuant to section 112.3173 . . . The former employee argues that section 112.3173, by defining “convicted” to include a no contest plea . . . Thus, six years later, the legislature enacted section 112.3173, Florida Statutes (Supp. 1984). . . . II of the State Constitution.” § 112.3173(1), Fla. Stat. (Supp. 1984). . . . . § 112.3173(3), Fla. Stat. (1984) (emphasis added). . . .

GARAY, v. DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT SERVICES,, 46 So. 3d 1227 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2010)

. . . Garay was employed in the public trust and that the crimes constituted specified offenses under section 112.3173 . . . The forfeiture provision is further codified in section 112.3173(3), Florida Statutes (2001), which states . . . Under section 112.3173(3), it is clear that the time the offense is committed controls forfeiture, not . . . contemplated post-retirement forfeiture of benefits is the repayment provision set forth in section 112.3173 . . . Garay pled guilty to offenses specified in section 112.3173(2)(e), Florida Statutes (2001), involving . . .

C. JENNE, v. STATE DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT SERVICES, DIVISION OF RETIREMENT,, 36 So. 3d 738 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2010)

. . . federal conviction for conspiracy to commit mail fraud qualifies as a “specified offense” under section 112.3173 . . . Section 112.3173(3) states that “[ajny public officer or employee who is convicted of a specified offense . . . This crime is not identified by name in section 112.3173(2)(e), but it could serve as the basis for a . . . Our conclusion that section 112.3173(2)(e)6. defines the term “specified offense” by the conduct of the . . . Jenne also argues that this court should interpret section 112.3173(2)(e)6. in light of the Ethics in . . .

SIMCOX, v. CITY OF HOLLYWOOD POLICE OFFICERS RETIREMENT SYSTEM,, 988 So. 2d 731 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2008)

. . . substantial competent evidence establishes that Simcox committed a “specified offense” under section 112.3173 . . . Section 112.3173(3) implements that portion of the Florida Constitution and provides: Forfeiture. — Any . . . First, section 112.3173(2)(e)(4) provides this meaning: “[a]ny felony specified in chapter 838, except . . . On the other hand, section 112.3173 employs the common meaning of the word “retirement.” . . . He therefore was not retired for purposes of section 112.3173. . . .

W. D. CHILDERS, v. STATE DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT SERVICES, DIVISION OF RETIREMENT,, 989 So. 2d 716 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2008)

. . . On appeal, the employee argues that section 112.3173 of the Florida Statutes is unconstitutional because . . . To effectuate these constitutional provisions, the Florida Legislature enacted section 112.3173, which . . . In Busbee, the First District Court of Appeal upheld section 112.3173 against similar constitutional . . . Unlike a criminal forfeiture statute, section 112.3173(3) merely relieves the State of its duty to pay . . . See § 112.3173(1). . . .

HAMES, v. CITY OF MIAMI FIREFIGHTERS AND POLICE OFFICERS TRUST,, 980 So. 2d 1112 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2008)

. . . contributions if the officer “is convicted of a specified offense committed prior to retirement.” § 112.3173 . . . Subsection 112.3173(5) outlines the procedures used to determine whether the retired officer was “convicted . . . required to be forfeited, the official or board shall order such rights and privileges forfeited. § 112.3173 . . . Hames’ Acts Qualify as Specifíed Offenses Under Section 112.3173 Hames’ retirement benefits were not . . . (2)(e)6, and subsection 112.3173(3), Florida Statutes (2006). . . .

HAMES, v. CITY OF MIAMI,, 479 F. Supp. 2d 1276 (S.D. Fla. 2007)

. . . To implement this constitutional mandate, the Florida Legislature enacted § 112.3173(3), Fla. . . . required to be forfeited, the official or board shall order such rights and privileges forfeited. § 112.3173 . . . felony offense he pled guilty to is not an offense that justifies forfeiture within the meaning of § 112.3173 . . . See § 112.3173(3) (“Any public officer or employee who is convicted of a specified offense committed . . .

H. WARSHAW, v. CITY OF MIAMI FIREFIGHTERS AND POLICE OFFICERS RETIREMENT TRUST, S., 885 So. 2d 892 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2004)

. . . This federal conviction led to the Board’s application of section 112.3173(3), Florida Statutes (2001 . . . “Specified offense” is defined in section 112.3173(2)(e), Florida Statutes (2001) to include the embezzlement . . . Pursuant to section 112.3173(5), the Board held a hearing for the purpose of determining whether Warshaw . . . The Board concluded that Warshaw had been convicted of a specified offense as provided in section 112.3173 . . . For discussions of section 112.3173(2)(e)(6), see DeSoto v. . . . s pension may be forfeited if the public employee is convicted of an offense specified in paragraph 112.3173 . . . pension, the conviction must be a “specified offense” within the terms of the forfeiture statute, section 112.3173 . . . The committing, aiding, or abetting of an embezzlement of public funds[.]” § 112.3173(2)(e)l., Fla. . . . forfeiture of the pension if — and only if — the employee committed “an embezzlement of public funds.” § 112.3173 . . . Id. § 112.3173(2)(e)6. This provision is likewise unavailable. . . .

DESOTO, v. HIALEAH POLICE PENSION FUND BOARD OF TRUSTEES,, 870 So. 2d 844 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2003)

. . . Board of Trustees which ordered the forfeiture of the pension benefits of Orestes DeSoto under section 112.3173 . . . Fund Board of Trustees commenced proceedings to forfeit DeSoto’s retirement benefits under section 112.3173 . . . contends that the board erred in determining that his benefits were subject to forfeiture under section 112.3173 . . . Section 112.3173(2)(e)(6), Florida Statutes (2001), states: “The committing of any felony by a public . . .

JACOBO, v. BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF MIAMI POLICE,, 788 So. 2d 362 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2001)

. . . The Board determined that because Jacobo was convicted of a specified offense under section 112.3173( . . . Jacobo first argues that his pension benefits cannot be forfeited under section 112.3173(2)(e)6 because . . . Because section 112.3173(2)(e)6 is neither vague nor ambiguous, it does not require statutory construction . . . Jacobo’s actions constituted a breach of the public trust forbidden by the plain wording of section 112.3173 . . . Specified offense” is defined in section 112.3173(2)(e) as follows: 1. . . .

NEWMANS, v. STATE DIVISION OF RETIREMENT,, 701 So. 2d 573 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1997)

. . . appellant of its intent to terminate his retirement benefits pursuant to sections 121.091(5)(f), and 112.3173 . . . forfeited his right to a retirement benefit under the Florida Retirement System pursuant to section 112.3173 . . . Section 112.3173(2)(e)6., however, provides that “specified offense” includes: (6) The committing of . . . The hearing officer concluded that appellant committed a “specified offense” as defined in section 112.3173 . . . power, rights, privileges, debts, or position of his ... political office or employment position.” § 112.3173 . . .

D. BUSBEE, v. STATE DIVISION OF RETIREMENT,, 685 So. 2d 914 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1996)

. . . with his employment, under the authority of Article II, section 8, Florida Constitution, and sections 112.3173 . . . base the forfeiture upon Florida Constitution Article II, section 8 (adopted in 1976), and section 112.3173 . . . In Pilkay, the appellant argued that section 112.3173(3) could not be applied to him because it was enacted . . .

WAITE, v. CITY OF FORT LAUDERDALE,, 681 So. 2d 901 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1996)

. . . See §§ 112.3173(2)(a), 327.36(1), 775.087(3)(a), 784.07(2), 784.08(3), 790.165(3), 893.135(3), 893.20 . . .

J. PILKAY, Jr. v. CITY OF TAMPA, GENERAL EMPLOYEE PENSION FUND, BOARD OF TRUSTEES,, 505 So. 2d 1100 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1987)

. . . The Board based its denial of pension benefits to Pilkay on section 112.3173(3), Florida Statutes (1985 . . . Pilkay contends that section 112.3173(3) as applied to him violates the ex post facto provisions of the . . . Pilkay further contends that, since section 112.3173(3) was not in effect when he enrolled in the retirement . . . In his argument Pilkay chooses to ignore the fact that section 112.3173(3) is based on a provision of . . . Section 112.3173(3), passed by the legislature in 1985, was the implementing act of this 1976 constitutional . . .

DYKES, v. A. J. HOSEMANN, Jr. A. Sr. Jr. W., 776 F.2d 942 (11th Cir. 1985)

. . . . § 112.3173 (Supp.1984). . See Herskowitz v. . . .