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No criminal charges for Osceola Clerk of Court Armando Ramirez

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — State Attorney Jeff Ashton has announced that his office will not be filing criminal charges against Osceola County Clerk of Court Armando Ramirez.

In a letter to Ramirez, Ashton outlined four criminal allegations against the clerk that were investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Ashton said that none of the allegations warranted further action by the State Attorney's Office.

Ramirez told WFTV his critics are just out to get him by spreading lies and that's what led to the investigation.

"The allegation becomes like a propaganda weapon like the Nazis used during the regime of Adolph Hitler," Ramirez said.

PDF: FDLE Investigation Summary

PDF: Jeff Ashton letter to Ramirez

In his letter, Ashton said that while he would not be pursuing charges in the case, Ramirez and his senior staff "could benefit from some additional training in the area of public records retention and public records laws."

Ramirez has adamantly denied the allegations for months while the investigation was underway.

"You believe that some of these allegations are a witch hunt after you?" WFTV investigative reporter Christopher Heath asked. "Yes, definitely," Ramirez said.

In a separate incident, Osceola County deputies were recently called to the clerk's office to stop an employee from removing what Ramirez called sensitive documents.

"A lady, without our permission, took property and placed it in a shopping bag. She didn't have no business taking that property," Ramirez said.

FDLE investigated four allegations against Ramirez including two allegations of promising men employment in exchange for campaign contributions, terminating employees of the clerk's office before the date he took office and public records violations.

He said he's glad the investigation is over and he plans to follow through with Ashton's recommendation of additional training.