OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — A former state representative, who resigned after being linked to a brothel, has been hired by the Osceola County school district as a lobbyist, Channel 9 found out.
Michael Horner stepped down from his position as a state representative in 2012 after his name appeared on a list of clients at a brothel in east Orange County. Detectives said they believed Horner paid for prostitutes at the brothel, but he wasn’t charged in the case.
All five school board members agreed to a contract with Horner at a recent meeting. But some Osceola County residents were surprised to hear of Horner’s new job.
“Someone like that shouldn't be representing our children,” resident Joshua Fuchs said.
“To tell you the truth, I don't think he should have the opportunity to be working with the situation,” resident Victor Montanez said.
Horner and his business will push for the school district both locally and in Tallahassee, according to officials.
In the contract, Horner’s consulting firm has a residential address listed as its location, and it’s believed the business is operated out of a home owned by Horner.
In 2012, Osceola County school leaders called for Horner to step down as the president of the Kissimmee-Osceola Chamber of Commerce, because the district pays dues to the chamber.
When board members agreed to hire Horner as a lobbyist, there was no mention of his past.
Board member Clarence Thacker told Channel 9 that Horner is well versed in the needs of Osceola County, especially in the area of student growth and capital shortfall.
Channel 9 reached out to Horner, but he was not available for comment.
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