WFTV learned Osceola Clerk of Court Malcom Thompson is now facing a state ethics investigation over accusations he used his power to try to shut down a criminal investigation involving accusations by his employees.

Thompson was acquitted of all criminal charges after two separate trials earlier this year.

WFTV's Kathi Belich has learned the ethics commission has found probable cause to investigate whether he abused his power.

Thompson convinced jurors to keep him in office, but the voters are sending him packing in January.

Before he goes, he's going to have to fight charges he tried to prevent his human resources director, Kim Zander, from taking action against him for allegedly verbally assaulting her and for allegedly shoving employee Latifa Ramadi.

On Tuesday, WFTV stopped by to speak with Thompson about the state ethics commission investigation, but Thompson was in a meeting and left for the day without talking to WFTV.

After his court acquittal, Thompson was under fire for paying thousands in taxpayers' money for a new office website to the same company which designed his campaign website without taking bids. He was also under fire for spending almost $1,000 of public money for new business cards while he was running for re-election.

If those expenditures with tax money were aimed at helping him keep his office, it didn't work. He lost in the primary election last month.

WFTV was told more records in the ethics case against Thompson will become public on Wednesday.