Gov. Rick Scott suspends Mayor Susan Haynie, Scott Singer Serve as Mayor

Amid criminal charges of official misconduct and corrupt misuse of her office, Boca Raton Mayor Susan Haynie has been suspended from office by Gov. Rick Scott on Friday afternoon via an Executive Order.

In accordance with the City Charter, Deputy Mayor Scott Singer will serve as Mayor of the City of Boca Raton.

Haynie failed to disclose income that she and her husband earned while she was in office, including payments from Jim Batmassian’s company, Investment Limited, according to a probable cause affidavit.

The affidavit continues to state that the investigation revealed that the association at Tivoli Park, a condominium owned by Batmasian, hired Community Reliance LLC, a company owned by Niel and Susan Haynie, and paid the company at least $12,000 per year to manage the property. Haynie told ethics investigators in a sworn statement that her husband had not been paid, but Batmasian’s wife, Marta, claimed that he had.

The affidavit also states the Mayor voted favorably on issues that would benefit developer James Batmasian through his Investment Limited firm. The report also states she failed to disclose income received from Investment Limited while conducting business through Community Reliance.

Haynie’s attorney, Leonard Feuer stated last night his client is innocent with a release to the press: “Mrs. Haynie wholeheartedly and completely denies the allegations which we plan to fight in court to the fullest extent.”

“It is in the best interests of the residents of the City of Boca Raton, and the citizens of the State of Florida, that Susan Ince Haynie be immediately suspended from the public office, which she now holds, upon the grounds set forth in this executive order,” Scott’s order read.

Haynie is scheduled for an arraignment hearing on May 24 in Palm Beach County Circuit Court.