Orlando-Orange County Expressway member indicted on bribery charges

Scott Batterson turned himself in Thursday night

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – The Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority board member indicted on bribery charges turned himself in to the Seminole County jail Thursday night.

The indictment is part of an eight-month investigation into the toll road agency that State Attorney Jeff Ashton called for. 

"I would anticipate the grand jury meeting to receive testimony on one more occasion, there may be a second occasion after that where they address some legal matters, I expect only one more meeting where testimony is obtained," Ashton said.

Scott Batterson has been charged with three second-degree felonies-- two felony counts of soliciting unlawful compensation and one count of solicitation for bribery by public servant.

He faces a maximum of 15 years in prison on the second-degree felony charges.

Gov. Rick Scott suspended Batterson after the indictment, releasing a statement:

"Today, my office took immediate action to suspend Scott Batterson from the Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority. All public officials must be held to the highest ethical standards – and we support State Attorney Jeff Ashton's efforts to hold public officials accountable."

Local 6 spoke to Scott on Friday at a jobs event, who described the incident as "disappointing--- you expect them to do a good job. It's extremely disappointing."

Ashton launched an investigation into claims that Batterson, Marco Pena and Noranne Downs of the expressway authority privately talked about ousting their director, Max Crumit.

Ashton said Pena and Downs are still being investigated.

Batterson turned himself in to the Seminole County jail. He paid his bond and was released a short time later.

The investigation is still ongoing.

Check back for more on this story.


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