JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Democrat Reggie Fullwood, who pleaded guilty last week to wire fraud and failing to file an income-tax return, has resigned from his House District 13 seat.
Fullwood on Monday sent a copy of his resignation letter, which was dated Friday, to House Speaker Steve Crisafulli, R-Merritt Island. In an email message to the speaker, Fullwood said he had intended to send the letter Friday, but it was delayed because it was being reviewed by his attorney.
Crisafulli accepted Fullwood's resignation in a 1 p.m. email message, following his announcement earlier in the day that Fullwood was being immediately suspended because of the guilty plea. Fullwood will forfeit his salary and any other House privileges for the remainder of his term, which was set to expire on Nov. 8.
"I will miss public service, but I will always work to better my city and this state through volunteerism and community service," Fullwood said in his resignation letter.
Fullwood said he had originally planned to contest his federal charge of wire fraud, which dealt with the misuse of campaign funds, as "a repackaged version of state election law violations that are routinely handled by the Florida Election Commission." But he said that argument was rejected by the judge.
"My options were to either go to trial with an uncertain outcome and face the possibility of a lengthy appeal or seek an immediate resolution," Fullwood said. "As a father of three children, I felt that bringing closure to this matter was the best choice."
He apologized several times in his resignation letter, including, "Again, I thank the people of District 13 for allowing me to serve them for six years, and I earnestly apologize to all of the people of this state for my actions."
Fullwood's plea and resignation came after Fullwood won an Aug. 30 Democratic primary for his House seat. He was set to face Republican Mark Griffin in the general election. Fullwood's resignation has set in motion a process where the Duval County Democratic Executive Committee will pick another candidate to replace him on the ballot. Fullwood is scheduled for a sentencing hearing on Jan. 9, where he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for wire fraud and a one-year term for failure to file a tax return. He will also forfeit more than $60,000 as a result of his plea.
News Service of Florida contributed to this story.