Andrew Warren, a state attorney for the 13th Judicial Circuit, was suspended today by Governor Ron DeSantis for neglect of duty. According to Article IV, Section 7 of the Florida State Constitution, the Governor has the power to suspend a state official. For the duration of the suspension, Susan Lopez has been named state attorney by the governor. Most recently, she had been presiding over the Hillsborough County Court as a judge. Click here to view the decision suspending Andrew Warren and appointing Susan Lopez.
“State Attorneys have a duty to prosecute crimes as defined in Florida law, not to pick and choose which laws to enforce based on his personal agenda,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “It is my duty to hold Florida’s elected officials to the highest standards for the people of Florida. I have the utmost trust that Judge Susan Lopez will lead the office through this transition and faithfully uphold the rule of law.”
“I have the utmost respect for our state laws and I understand the important role that the State Attorney plays in ensuring the safety of our community and the enforcement of our laws,” said Susan Lopez, State Attorney of the 13th Judicial Circuit. “I want to thank the Governor for placing his trust in me, and I promise that I will faithfully execute the duties of this office.”
The Florida Constitution grants the Governor the power to suspend state employees for misbehaviour, malfeasance, neglect of duty, intoxication, incompetence, inability to fulfil official tasks on a long-term basis, or the commission of a felony. For the term of the suspension, the Governor also has the power to nominate someone to replace that position.
In 2021, Governor DeSantis appointed Susan Lopez to the position of judge on the Hillsborough County Court. She formerly worked for more than 15 years as the 13th Judicial Circuit’s Assistant State Attorney and as an attorney on staff at the Second District Court of Appeal. She graduated from Middlebury College with a bachelor’s degree and Suffolk University with a law degree. She has lived in Tampa for a while and has been active in the Hillsborough community for a long time through a number of organisations.