Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier demanded Friday that Orange-Osceola State Attorney Monique Worrell criminally charge a man who allegedly masturbated in front of children at an Apopka park last month.

Worrell responded there was not enough evidence to pursue the matter and argued that Uthmeier’s demands — made in an Orlando press conference — were less about that criminal case and more about the DeSantis administration’s larger push to remove her from office again.

Uthmeier and Worrell held separate news conferences in Orlando blasting the other’s job performance, the latest in a series of public spats between the two since Worrell was reelected as state attorney. Gov. Ron DeSantis removed Worrell in August 2023 saying she had been derelict in her duty, a charge she denied. Vote

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