BREAKING NEWS: Governor Suspends Dan Andrews

Gov. Charlie Crist Wednesday issued an executive order suspending Sebring City Councilman Dan Andrews from office.

Andrews was arrested Monday afternoon on charges of grand theft, scheming to defraud, and embezzlement by making false entries on the books of a corporation, stemming from his position as executive director of the Greater Sebring Chamber of Commerce.

The news of the suspension was released Wednesday afternoon by the governor's spokesman, Sterling Ivey.

"The governor issued an executive order suspending Dan Andrews as of today," Ivey said.

The executive order cites the three felony charges Andrews faces.

"Where as it is in the best interest of the residents of Sebring and the citizens of the state of Florida, that Daniel Farmer Andrews be immediately suspended from public office, which he now holds upon the grounds set forth in this executive order."

Andrews is therefore prohibited from performing any official act, duty, or function of public office; from receiving any pay or allowance; and from being entitled to any of the emoluments or privileges of public office during this period of suspension.

The suspension can be lifted by a further executive order of the governor.

The city has also been notified of the suspension and will likely discuss its options at the next city council meeting on Dec. 4.

Mayor George Hensley said after hearing of the suspension, "We regret the circumstances that Dan is in and I always say we're in America where a person is innocent until proven guilty.

"The governor's office made the decision it needed and the council could not make."

So what's the next step?

"Having never been there before, we will have to look at the city's charter and see what's in there. It was a suspension, not a removal. There's a big difference. We'll have to discuss it with the city attorney."

Highlands Today reporter Joe Seelig can be reached at ((863) 386-5834 or jseelig@highlandstoday.com .