Mayor of Florida City Charged With Insurance Fraud, Suspended by Governor

Florida Gov. Rick Scott has suspended from office the mayor of the central Florida city of Tavares after he was charged with insurance fraud.

Scott issued the executive order on July 14, one day after Mayor Robert Wolfe was arrested on the third-degree felony charge. Prosecutors say Wolfe filed false insurance claims for $9,300 regarding damage to his home, including a phony claim that he had to vacate the home during repairs.

Wolfe turned himself in to the Lake County Jail Wednesday night and was later released on bail. Court records don’t indicate whether he has hired an attorney and Wolfe did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

Wolfe has been mayor of Tavares since 2009.