JEFFERSON COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) - Gov. Rick Scott has removed Jefferson County Clerk Kirk Reams from his position amid allegations Reams lent an office laptop to his girlfriend for her personal use.
For that, Reams is facing petit theft charges.
The Jefferson County board of County Commission held an emergency meeting Wednesday night to write up a letter as a character witness for reams.
In the letter, they say he did improperly use the county's technology and showed a lapse of judgment, but they say he is a good clerk.
His lawyer claims he had ability to use the technology as he saw fit and therefore committed no crime.
Officials estimate the first draft of the letter to be completed and in the governor's hands by noon Thursday.
According to a probable cause document, the Florida Department of law Enforcement met with the Jefferson County Sheriff regarding allegations against Reams from his ex-girlfriend.
The ex-girlfriend alleged that Reams had taken nude photographs of her inside the Jefferson County Courthouse. Though authorities were able to find evidence of the photos, "the circumstances surrounding how they were obtained did not constitute a crime."
The ex-girlfriend also claimed that Reams gave her a laptop for personal use that was the county's property. She said Reams told her that it was an extra laptop from the courthouse that was not currently in use.
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