Tracy Caruso, wife of Palm Beach County Clerk Michael Caruso, resigned from public boards to support her husband after his arrest on felony child sex abuse charges. She described the accusations as “false,” emphasizing her belief in his innocence.
She vacated her roles on the Health Care District of Palm Beach County board and as vice chair of the Palm Beach State College Board of Trustees. Her appointments came from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in 2022 and 2025, respectively. Her resignation aims to avoid distractions caused by her husband’s legal issues, not as a concession of wrongdoing.
Tracy, also a stepmother of seven, was appointed to the Palm Beach County Housing Finance Authority by former County Mayor David Kerner. Michael Caruso, 67, faces accusations including kidnapping, child molestation, and luring a child. An affidavit supports these multiple felony charges.
Tracy Caruso stated, “These accusations are false and do not reflect the man I know or the life we have built together. There is far more to this story than what has appeared in the headlines.” Newsweek contacted both Carusos for comments.
A former Republican state legislator, Michael Caruso supported harsh penalties for child sexual abuse. In 2012, he was cleared of similar allegations due to lack of evidence. Governor DeSantis suspended him from office after the new charges. DeSantis emphasized the thorough investigation leading to Caruso’s arrest, denouncing the allegations as “truly horrific.”
Florida law allows severe penalties for child sexual battery, a stance Caruso previously supported. The police investigation alleges abuse of a relative occurring multiple times from 2024 to 2025.
This arrest is a decisive line in the sand. When someone targets a child, they don’t just break the law — they shatter a community’s trust,
said Lisa Haba, representing the victim.
If found guilty, Caruso could face life imprisonment or possibly the death penalty. He is detained without bond, awaiting a pretrial detention hearing. Governor DeSantis remarked that if allegations are substantiated, Caruso could face severe punishments.
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