Governor Rick Scott's pick for the Florida Public Service Commission is resigning after being accused of sexual misconduct.
Former state representative Ritch Workman of Melbourne was due to be sworn in next month at the PSC. Instead, he resigned Monday, after state Senator Libeth Benaquisto of Fort Myers said he pushed his body up against her and made "vulgar and inappropriate gestures" at a charity event in 2016 and continued even after she asked him to stop.
Benacquisto chairs the Senate Rules Committee, which was required to confirm Workman's appointment in order for him to serve a full four-year term on the five-member PSC.
"I have absolutely no recollection of being inappropriate with Sen. Benacquisto. I have nothing but respect and admiration for her. It breaks my heart that this has come out like this, because it's not the kind of person that I am," Workman said.
The nominating council now must reconvene to accept applicants to fill the Workman vacancy.