ORANGE COUNTY — State Attorney Monique Worrell announced that she has filed a Petition for Declaratory Judgment to protect the integrity of the State Attorney’s Office and prevent it from improper influence. 

The State Attorney’s Office has determined that the information requested is exempt from disclosure under Florida’s grand jury secrecy laws. The Petition asks the court to confirm that these legal protections apply and to determine whether any portion of the requested records from the investigation may be released without violating those laws. The filing seeks clear judicial guidance to ensure compliance with statutory obligations while maintaining the integrity of investigative processes.

“No prosecutor’s office in this country should allow its investigative processes to be compromised,” Worrell said. “An investigation must be grounded in facts, follow established procedures, and serve the pursuit of justice. When those standards are not met, it erodes public trust and wastes taxpayer resources.”

Worrell said the filing is part of a broader effort to safeguard the integrity of investigations, while strengthening investigative protocols. Her office is developing new policies to ensure administrative and criminal matters remain separate, follow consistent standards, and are driven solely by evidence and the law, not politics.

“Since returning to office, my administration has worked to restore trust, transparency, and efficiency,” Worrell said. “Our focus is on addressing real issues and strengthening the systems that protect the public’s interest. By focusing on solving real problems rather than manufacturing ones that do not exist, this approach, together with this court filing, is intended to ensure that what happened here never happens again.”

Background
On November 5, 2024, Monique Worrell was re-elected as State Attorney for the Ninth Judicial Circuit. On November 7, the prior appointed administration initiated an internal investigation targeting Worrell and her former executive team. In December 2024, the results were presented to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement with a request to convene a grand jury. Worrell says the investigation was conducted outside of standard practices and placed undue pressure on office staff, setting a precedent she believes undermines the integrity of prosecutorial decision-making.

The full Petition for Declaratory Judgment can be found here.