Residents seek to recall councilman accused of sending crude photos, emails

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — An Orange City councilman accused of sending crude emails and pictures on his city-issued iPad has refused to resign, so residents want to force him out instead.

Tom Abraham is accused of taking photos of women without their knowledge and then writing sexually suggestive comments about them.

Earlier this month, WFTV's Blaine Tolison found out the mayor and the rest of the council could not convince Abraham to resign. This week, however, leaders voted to censure him and take away the iPad, but that's the limit of the council's power.

Now residents are stepping in. They’re allowed to recall Abraham after he has been in office for a year. Come October, a website will be launched with information and video of Abraham as part of an effort to collect more than 100 signatures to get Abraham out of office.

Paul Rasch is leading the effort, and he's starting a campaign and website to gather support. Rasch was defeated by Abraham during an election in November, but he claims he's not seeking the council seat. Rasch said he simply wants Abraham out because of his ethics.

But Abraham said he plans to start his own website to prevent the recall, and he has threatened legal action.

On Tuesday, City Council members characterized emails and pictures found on Abraham's iPad as sexually suggestive and racially insensitive. The images were discovered in a review of the iPad by city staff.

WFTV