Defense Seeks Dismissal of New Charges Against Former Manatee County Administrator Scott Hopes
Defense counsel for former Manatee County Administrator Scott Hopes has filed a motion to dismiss several new charges brought against him in the ongoing criminal case, State of Florida vs. Scott Hopes.
Hopes, who served as county administrator from 2021 until his resignation in February 2023, was initially arrested in February 2024 on three felony counts, including grand theft, fraudulent use of public records, and notary fraud. He pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Prosecutors allege that while serving as a public official, Hopes claimed unauthorized overtime pay by falsifying timecards, leading to the theft of county funds. The notary fraud charge stemmed from a county process allegedly devised by Hopes that subverted state notary laws.
Following a defense motion for more specifics regarding the allegations, the court ordered the State to provide clearer details regarding the alleged crimes. In response, the State Attorney’s Office entered a Nolle Prosequi on the notary fraud charge and filed a second amended information outlining more precise dates and amounts tied to the remaining allegations.
The amended complaint resulted in seven counts now pending against Hopes, including multiple counts of grand theft, fraudulent use of public records, and one count of petit theft. The new filings alleged specific incidents of theft and falsification of records between April 2021 and November 2022.
Defense attorney Lisa Chittaro promptly moved to dismiss three of the newly filed counts, arguing they are barred by Florida’s statute of limitations. Under state law, third-degree felonies must be prosecuted within three years of the alleged offense, and first-degree misdemeanors within two years. The motion contends that charges based on alleged conduct from 2021 and mid-2022 fall outside the permissible timeframe for prosecution.
If the court grants the motion to dismiss, Hopes would still face four remaining felony charges connected to allegations of falsifying time cards and misappropriating public funds.
A hearing on the defense’s motion has not yet been scheduled. Both Hopes’ attorney and representatives for the State Attorney’s Office declined to comment on the pending case.
