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Former Senator Steven Payne. Photo Credit: V.I. LEGISLATURE
Florida state officials have made public some additional details on the sexual battery faced by former senator Steven Payne. The information, contained in a one-page charging document, was filed Thursday in the Duval County Circuit Court, following Mr. Payne’s arrest in early September.
The incident for which the former senator is being charged occurred sometime between late 2018 and early 2019, and involved a minor girl between the ages of 12 and 18. He is accused of penetrating the girl with an object prosecutors refer to as a sex toy.
The charges in Florida come after three women accused the former member of the 34th Legislature of sexual harassment and abuse. One of them, a woman who said that she was around 17 years old at the time of the alleged abuse against her, recounted incidents very similar to the conduct described in this week’s charging document, however as of press time the Consortium has been unable to verify if the victim identified by prosecutors is the same person who spoke exclusively to our journalists about her ordeal.
The allegations from another of his accusers, a former legislative staffer, sparked a Senate investigation that ultimately resulted in his removal from office.
Following his removal from the lawmaking body and replacement with now-Senator Angel Bolques Jr., Mr. Payne, who has consistently and strenuously denied all charges against him, sued the 34th Legislature and its president Senator Donna Frett-Gregory over actions his attorneys claim were improper.
Following his arrest on September 8, Mr. Payne was released on bail in the sum on $250,000.
