3 indicted in Orlando-Orange County Expressway investigation

Trio violated Florida Sunshine State Laws on open meetings, grand jury says

ORLANDO, Fla. – Three have been indicted in an investigation into the Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority by a grand jury on Wednesday on allegations of breaking Florida Sunshine State Laws.

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Former Rep. Chris Doworth and Rebekah Hammond were indicted Wednesday by the grand jury, along with Scott Batterson, who was already indicted on bribery charges in April.

Under Florida's Sunshine State Laws, meetings are required to be open to the public.

The trio could face 60 days in jail or six months probation, along with a maximum fine of $500.

State Attorney Jeff Ashton said at a news conference Wednesday afternoon there is a culture of corruption at the expressway authority.

The indictment comes the same day expressway board member Marco Pena pleaded guilty in a plea agreement to violating Florida's open meetings law. As part of the plea agreement, Pena is avoiding jail time and probation, paying a $500 fine and will not try to seal his court file.


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