Citizen's tip leads to investigation of Sheriff Keith Pearson

As the investigation into St. Lucie County Sheriff Keith Pearson moves forward, the state's attorney who successfully asked the governor to be recused from the case explains how it began.

“My office was contacted by the FDLE in Tallahassee about two and a half or three months ago, I would say. And they indicated that they were working on an investigation that had been referred to them by a citizen,” said the St. Lucie County Prosecutor. Tom Bakkedahl.

Bakkedahl said he asked to be recused by the governor from any possible prosecution of Pearson.

“And I did that because, obviously, you know, I took sides in the sheriff's race. I supported Sheriff Pierson's opponent, who is Acting Chief Richard Del Toro of the Police Department of Port St. Lucie,” Bakkedahl said.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an executive order assigning the investigation to Brevard County State's Attorney Phil Archer.

Bakkedahl said he had no idea what the allegations were, just that the FDLE told him they were moving forward with criminal charges.

WPBF 25 News reached out to Pearson for comment, and in an exclusive statement Thursday, he said:

“I haven't seen the documents released by Tom Bakkedahl, but his entry into politics puts our local justice system at risk. Shame on him.”

Bakkedahl said all he did was ask the governor to be recused — and said it wasn't political.

WPBF 25 News investigative reporter Terri Parker reached out to another attorney, Glen Torcivia, who represents Pearson's opponent in the upcoming election, to see if he knew what the allegations were – because he had already complained about Pearson.

“I don’t know what this particular case is about,” Torcivia said.

“But these could be irregularities that we thought were committed in the March 19 elections this year,” he said.

Torcivia wrote a letter to the elections supervisor, complaining that Pearson had placed electronic billboards with his name at polling places and ordered his deputies to wear Sheriff's Office hats with his name inside them. polling stations.

“When they were assigned to the polling stations, they all wore hats with their name written on them. When a voter walks in, you might feel a little pushed or intimidated to vote for that candidate,” said Torcivia.

Torcivia said he believed it violated election laws, even though Pearson was not on the ballot for this election. He says he did not report these allegations to the FDLE.

Elections Supervisor Gertrude Walker assured him it wouldn't happen again.

FDLE or 18th Judicial Circuit State's Attorney Phil Archer have not confirmed what this investigation into Pearson is about.

WPBF 25 News has requested an interview with Pearson again, but he has not yet agreed.

DeSantis appointed the former lieutenant to the sheriff's position last year when Sheriff Ken Mascara resigned.

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