A Florida court is refusing to block a recommendation that a former U.S. congressman and one-time ally of U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio should pay nearly $60,000 stemming from an ethics investigation.
The 1st District Court of Appeal on Wednesday rejected former U.S. Rep. David Rivera's contention that he was denied due process by the Florida Commission on Ethics. Rivera, a former state legislator from Miami, served one term in the U.S. House.
Rivera is accused of violating several state ethics laws. The commission recommended Rivera pay $16,500 in penalties and more than $41,000 in restitution.
It's up to House Speaker Steve Crisafulli to decide whether to impose penalties.
Rivera's attorney says Crisafulli has no authority over former House members, but the court said it couldn't rule on that until the speaker acts on the case.
