ORLANDO, Fla. — Three people have been indicted by an Orange County grand jury Friday after an investigation into the Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority.
Former state Rep. Chris Dorworth, former Expressway Authority member Scott Batterson and Florida Department of Transportation employee Rebekah Hammond were all named in the indictment Wednesday. Hammond is Dorworth's girlfriend.
Each was indicted on a count of violation of public meeting law, a second-degree misdemeanor.
The indictments stem from the same investigation that led to felony charges against Batterson and fines for former Authority member Marco Pena.
Earlier Wednesday Pena pled guilty to violating state open records law, he then went before the grand jury to talk about the investigation.
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In discussing the indictments, State Attorney Jeff Ashton said the grand jury believes a "culture of corruption" still exists at the Expressway Authority.
"There has been much discussion and description of the expressway authority and its culture of corruption, the grand jury feels by their actions that, that culture has not completely abated," said Ashton.
Batterson, Dorworth and Hammond will receive summons to appear before a judge, they will not be arrested. Each, if convicted, faces a penalty of $500 dollars and up to 60 days in jail.
Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs, who is on the Expressway Authority board, sent a statement to Channel 9 which said, “I applaud the State Attorney for stepping in and taking such a thorough approach toward this investigation.”
Channel 9's Christopher Heath was at the courthouse when the indictment was unsealed and will have complete details on Eyewitness News at 6.
WFTV
