Judge Denies Dismissal Motion in Felony Case Against Former Manatee County Administrator Scott Hopes
A Manatee County judge has denied former county administrator Scott Hopes’ attempt to dismiss felony charges stemming from his time in office. The decision marks a key development in the State of Florida’s ongoing case against Hopes, who faces multiple felony counts related to grand theft and fraudulent use of public records.
Hopes, who previously served on the school board, was appointed interim Manatee County Administrator in 2021 before taking on the permanent role later that year. He resigned in February 2023 following a series of controversies. A year later, in February 2024, he was arrested and charged with three felony counts: notary fraud, grand theft, and fraudulent use of public records.
Though the notary fraud charge was dropped earlier this year, the State added five additional felony charges after being ordered by the court to provide greater specificity regarding the alleged offenses. Prosecutors responded by breaking down the allegations according to paycheck cycles and including more detailed information, which led to the expanded list of charges.
The latest motion hearing took place on June 20, during which Hopes’ legal team sought either further clarification from the State or the dismissal of all charges due to alleged vagueness. On June 24, Twelfth Judicial Circuit Judge Frederick P. Mercurio issued a written ruling siding with the State and denying the motion on all counts.
Hopes is now facing a total of seven charges:
Count 1: Grand theft ($5,000–$10,000) during the Sept. 24–Oct. 7, 2022, pay period.
Count 2: Grand theft ($750–$5,000) during the Nov. 5–Nov. 18, 2022, pay period.
Count 3: Grand theft ($750–$5,000) during the April 1–April 9, 2021, pay period.
Count 4: Petit theft ($100–$750), a misdemeanor, during the May 21–June 3, 2022, pay period.
Count 5: Fraudulent use of public records for falsifying a time card dated Oct. 7, 2022.
Count 6: Fraudulent use of public records for falsifying a time card dated Nov. 18, 2022.
Count 7: Fraudulent use of public records for falsifying a time card dated April 9, 2021.
The charges allege that Hopes stole public funds by submitting false time cards for work hours he did not perform. These falsified documents allegedly enabled the unlawful disbursement of taxpayer dollars during his tenure as administrator.
The case remains active, with the next case management hearing scheduled for October 23, 2025.
