A misdemeanor charge against former Central Florida lawmaker Chris Dorworth has been dismissed by a county judge.
Dorworth was charged with violating state ‘sunshine’ laws in connection with the now defunct Orlando- Orange County Expressway Authority
Prosecutors alleged Dorworth and two other people privately discussed Orlando- Orange County expressway authority business in breach of Florida’s open government laws.
Orange-Osceola County state attorney Jeff Ashton says he disagrees with the ruling of judge Tanya Davis Wilson in dismissing the misdemeanor charge against Dorworth.
He says he’ll appeal the ruling.
In a statement, Ashton said ‘the entire state will benefit from this issue being further studied and resolved through the appellate process.’
Former expressway authority board member Scott Batterson had earlier pleaded no contest to the misdemeanor charge.
Batterson was also sentenced to 7 .5 years in prison after being found guilty on a separate bribery charge.
The expressway authority was replaced with a new, regionwide tolling authority in June.