Judge Declines to Dismiss Several Charges Against Former Manatee Administrator
A Manatee County judge has denied part of a motion seeking to dismiss criminal charges against former county administrator Scott Hopes, who is accused of forging documents, destroying records, and defrauding the county during his tenure.
During a Nov. 17 hearing, Judge Frederick Mercurio denied the request to dismiss counts 4 through 7 after the defense withdrew its motion regarding counts 1 through 3. Prosecutors allege that Hopes submitted inaccurate time cards, resulting in excess payments amounting to thousands of dollars.
The court accepted five exhibits submitted by the defense and marked three others for identification, but did not admit them. The state is preparing a written order documenting the court’s rulings. The hearing was continued to a future date yet to be determined, and a court setting previously scheduled for Nov. 20 was canceled.
The case involves allegations tied to Hopes’ time as a public official. In addition to his role as county administrator, he previously served on the Manatee County School Board.