Update 07/09/2022: Jonathan Martin sent FOX 4 a statement that reads, "I think the evidence including a 2 hour video of the evening as well as the timeline of the complaints and political filings speaks for itself. This is politically motivated as the complaint was filed a month after the REC meeting by an individual who filed paperwork to run against me immediately after I announced my run for state Senate and after receiving the Governor’s endorsement. This allegation is baseless. I look forward to being cleared, representing the people of Lee County and moving forward with the important work of the Senate and supporting the Governor’s agenda."
Our original reporting continues below:
After receiving a complaint, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office conducted an investigation on GOP Chairman Jonathan Martin before forwarding the case to the State Attorney’s Office.
An executive order, Governor Ron DeSantis issued shows Lee County GOP Chairman Jonathon Martin is under investigation for battery.
This all dates back to May, when Lee County Republican Party Committee Member Tara Jenner tells FOX 4 her son filed a complaint with the Lee County Sheriff's Office. Jenner says Martin tried to grab her son to stop him from livestreaming a May committee meeting but Jenner, who unsuccessfully tried to run against Chairman Martin says the video she has does not show that moment.
LCSO confirms to FOX 4 they did receive a complaint and forwarded it to State Attorney Amira Fox's office. Governor DeSantis' order says to avoid a conflict of interest since Chairman Martin's relative works in Fox's office, another state attorney for the Twelfth Judicial Circuit Ed Brodsky will handle the case.
