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Carolina Amesty
Member of the Florida House of Representatives from the 45th district
In office November 8, 2022 – November 5, 2024
Preceded by	Geraldine Thompson (redistricting)
Succeeded by	Leonard Spencer
Personal details
Born	Carolina Dinorah Amesty (1994-11-04) November 4, 1994 (age 30) Venezuela
Political party	Republican
Education	Seminole State College of Florida (AA) University of Central Florida (BA)

Carolina Dinorah Amesty (born November 4, 1994) is an American politician and businesswoman who served as a member of the Florida House of Representatives for Florida's 45th District from November 2022 to November 2024. Amesty focused her policies on taxes, health care, education, veterans' affairs, and the tourism industry.

Amesty took office on November 8, 2022, after winning the Republican primaries with 45% of the votes in a race among five candidates, where her main opponent was Allie Braswell. However, in the November 2024 general election, she faced a closely contested race against Leonard Spencer, who prevailed with 50.8% of the votes compared to Amesty's 49.2%.

Education

Amesty was born in Venezeula on November 4, 1994. She graduated high school from West Oaks Academy. Amesty earned an Associate of Arts from Seminole State College and Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Pre Law from the University of Central Florida. Graduate studies in Business Administration from the University of Miami.

She received a scholarship from the U.S. Department of State's Office of Educational and Cultural Affairs to travel to Eurasia and learn the Russian language as a matter of national security.

Career

In 2014 and 2015, Amesty worked as the director of academic affairs at Central Christian University, which is owned and operated by her father. Amesty returned to Central Christian University in 2017, working as senior advisor to the president and executive vice president.

Florida House of Representatives

Amesty served as a representative in the Florida House of Representatives for District 45 from November 2022 to November 2024. Her candidacy was endorsed by Donald Trump Jr.

During Florida Governor Ron DeSantis's feud with Disney in 2023, Amesty said that Disney was "indoctrinating" children with "radical gender ideologies" and had "pushed far-left narratives and lies about our great state". She sponsored several bills, including HB 461, which exempts women who have recently given birth from certain jury service under specific conditions. She also introduced a bill to provide property tax exemptions for veterans, which was incorporated into Florida's tax package and later signed by the governor. She also supported legislation to ban the use of TikTok on government devices, explaining that the measure aims to mitigate foreign risks. Additionally, she backed a law raising the minimum age requirement for employment in the strip club industry as part of efforts to protect young women from human trafficking. Amesty stated that this initiative was intended to give young women opportunities to pursue safe careers, access education, and lead family lives free from the threat of exploitation.

In early 2022, she expressed her support for President Trump's potential presidential comeback in 2024. Amesty ran for re-election in 2024. During the election, she was challenged by former Disney executive Leonard Spencer, who defeated her by securing 50.85% of the vote.

Legal challenges

2024 forgery charges

In May 2024, an investigation by the office of Governor Ron DeSantis was opened into whether Amesty, a notary public, had notarized a document with a forged signature. At the time on the board of Central Christian University, a small unaccredited school in Florida, Amesty was alleged to have notarized a document certifying employment of a professor. The form may have helped the school receive licensing. The professor denied signing the document or ever working at the school. Handwriting experts analyzing the signature agreed the professor did not sign the form and that it resembled Amesty's writing. Through her attorney, Amesty reaffirmed that she had seen the man sign the form.

Amesty was indicted by the state government of Florida on August 28, 2024, on four charges of forgery, uttering a forgery, false acknowledgment or certification by a notary public and notarizing her own signature, all third-degree felonies each punishable by up to five years in prison. At the time a candidate for re-election to the House of Representatives, Amesty declared herself innocent of the accusations and described them as part of a defamation campaign aimed at damaging her candidacy. Amesty said the main purpose of this campaign was to prevent her re-election by tarnishing her public image.

Charges were dropped in December 2024, after Amesty completed a financial crimes and financial literacy courses and 30 hours of community service.

2025 Economic Injury Disaster Loan program fraud criminal complaint

In January 2025, an investigation by the United States Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General brought a criminal complaint against Amesty in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida for two violations of theft of government property. In the complaint it is alleged that Amesty embezzled $122,000 of COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan program though the Carolina Amesty Foundation Inc. and Dinocar Auto Sales LLC. The criminal complaint notes that out of fifteen loan applications associated with Amesty, seven were failed attempts. The organizations associated with Amnesty received more than $500,000 in loans. The complaint also alleges that Amesty misrepresented information including gross revenues, the amount of employees and if the business were even incorporated.

Personal life

Amesty is a Christian.

References

1. "Candidate Q&A: Carolina Amesty, Florida State Representative District 45 (REP)". August 11, 2022. Archived from the original on May 21, 2023. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
2. ^ "Carolina Amesty - 2022 - 2024 ( Speaker Renner )". Archived from the original on March 14, 2023.
3. Hogan, Brandon; Zizo, Christie (November 4, 2024). "Leonard Spencer unseats Carolina Amesty in Florida House District 45 race, flipping a Republican seat". WKMG-TV. Archived from the original on December 14, 2024. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
4. ^ Sandoval, Ivan (November 10, 2022). "¿Quién es Carolina Amesty? La americana venezolana que fue electa a la Cámara de Representantes de Florida" [Who is Carolina Amesty? The Venezuelan American who was elected to the Florida House of Representatives]. 15 minutos [15 minutes] (in Spanish). Retrieved June 4, 2024.
5. Amesty, Carolina (September 27, 2023). "CAROLINA AMESTY: EL ÉXITO ECONÓMICO DE FLORIDA EMPIEZA POR LAS FAMILIAS" [CAROLINA AMESTY: FLORIDA'S ECONOMIC SUCCESS STARTS WITH FAMILIES]. PincelDigital.do (in Spanish). Retrieved June 4, 2024.
6. Ogles, Jacob (November 6, 2024). "With most ballots counted, Leonard Spencer unseats indicted Carolina Amesty in HD 45". Florida Politics. Archived from the original on December 10, 2024. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
7. Powers, Scott (August 24, 2022). "Carolina Amesty wins Republican Primary in HD 45". Florida Politics. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
8. ^ Ogles, Jacob (November 9, 2022). "Carolina Amesty crowned winner in HD 45 race against Allie Braswell". Florida Politics. Archived from the original on December 7, 2022. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
9. Amesty, Carolina (February 13, 2023). "As an American who was born in Venezuela, I'm tired of left-wing demagoguery on immigration. Floridians do not want open borders. We shouldn't have to bear the burden of the Biden administration's reckless policies. So-called "sanctuary states" must pay their fair share" (Tweet). Retrieved December 27, 2024 – via Twitter.
10. ^ "Carolina Amesty". Ballotpedia. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
11. "Carolina Amesty: la Venezolana que llegó al Congreso de los Estados Unidos" [Carolina Amesty: the Venezuelan who reached the United States Congress]. Informe Latino | Noticias de América [Latin Report | News from America] (in Spanish). November 11, 2022. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
12. Powers, Scott (August 10, 2022). "Donald Trump Jr. endorses Carolina Amesty in HD 45". Florida Politics. Archived from the original on February 1, 2023. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
13. Barnes, Brooks (April 17, 2023). "DeSantis, in Latest Volley Against Disney, Suggests Punitive Steps". The New York Times. Archived from the original on April 17, 2023. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
14. Amesty, Carolina (February 12, 2024). "Carolina Amesty: My legislation protects young women from human trafficking". Florida's Voice. Archived from the original on March 10, 2024. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
15. Scheckner, Jesse (May 3, 2023). "Legislature approves bill codifying TikTok ban on government devices, networks". Florida Politics. Archived from the original on December 3, 2024. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
16. "Florida State House candidate learned 'media is truly after' conservatives from treatment of Trump, DeSantis | Fox News". www.foxnews.com. Archived from the original on December 22, 2024. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
17. "State Representative". Florida Election Watch. Florida Department of State. Archived from the original on November 30, 2018. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
18. Martin, Annie; Postal, Leslie (May 16, 2024). "State probes whether Rep. Carolina Amesty broke notary laws". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
19. ^ Lafferty, Abigail (December 9, 2024). "Florida State Rep. Carolina Amesty completes diversion program to get forgery charges dropped". FOX 35 Orlando. Archived from the original on December 27, 2024. Retrieved December 26, 2024.
20. Fox, Greg (December 9, 2024). "Felony charges against Florida Rep. Carolina Amesty will not be prosecuted, records show". WESH. Archived from the original on December 10, 2024. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
21. ^ Martin, Annie (July 1, 2024). "Orlando-area Rep. Amesty resigns as notary, blocking state probe into her conduct". Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on July 1, 2024. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
22. ^ Martin, Annie (March 20, 2024). "Rep. Carolina Amesty notarized document that teacher says he never signed". Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on March 21, 2024. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
23. Martin, Annie; Postal, Leslie (August 29, 2024). "Carolina Amesty indicted on forgery charges". Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on December 23, 2024. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
24. Summerall, Marian (September 19, 2024). "GOP State Representative Carolina Amesty pleads not guilty". Central Florida Public Media. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
25. "State Rep. Carolina Amesty Vows to Clear Her Name Amid Forgery Charges". Florida National News. August 29, 2024. Archived from the original on October 4, 2024. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
26. Tutten, James (December 9, 2024). "Charges dropped against former state Rep. Carolina Amesty". WFTV. Archived from the original on December 13, 2024. Retrieved December 26, 2024.
27. Zizo, Christie (January 17, 2025). "Ex-Florida lawmaker Carolina Amesty accused of stealing money through COVID loans". WKMG. Retrieved January 18, 2025.
28. Swisher, Skyler; Postal, Leslie (January 17, 2025). "Former state Rep. Carolina Amesty charged with stealing COVID-19 relief funds". Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on January 18, 2025. Retrieved January 18, 2025.
29. Gramajo, Mike (January 18, 2025). "Former Florida Rep. Carolina Amesty accused of COVID-19 relief fraud". WESH. Retrieved January 18, 2025.
30. "Parties for United States v. Amesty, 6:25-mj-01031 - CourtListener.com". CourtListener. Retrieved January 18, 2025.

v t e Members of the Florida House of Representatives
Speaker ▌Daniel Perez (R) Speaker pro tempore ▌Wyman Duggan (R) Majority Leader ▌Tyler Sirois (R) Minority Leader ▌Fentrice Driskell (D)
▌Michelle Salzman (R) ▌Alex Andrade (R) ▌Vacant ▌Patt Maney (R) ▌Shane Abbott (R) ▌Philip Griffitts (R) ▌Jason Shoaf (R) ▌Gallop Franklin (D) ▌Allison Tant (D) ▌Chuck Brannan (R) ▌Sam Garrison (R) ▌Wyman Duggan (R) ▌Angie Nixon (D) ▌Kimberly Daniels (D) ▌Dean Black (R) ▌Kiyan Michael (R) ▌Jessica Baker (R) ▌Kim Kendall (R) ▌Sam Greco (R) ▌Judson Sapp (R) ▌Yvonne Hayes Hinson (D) ▌Chad Johnson (R) ▌J.J. Grow (R) ▌Ryan Chamberlin (R) ▌Taylor Yarkosky (R) ▌Nan Cobb (R) ▌Richard Gentry (R) ▌Bill Parrington (R) ▌Webster Barnaby (R) ▌Chase Tramont (R) ▌Tyler Sirois (R) ▌Thad Altman (R) ▌Monique Miller (R) ▌Robbie Brackett (R) ▌Erika Booth (R) ▌Rachel Plakon (R) ▌Susan Plasencia (R) ▌David Smith (R) ▌Doug Bankson (R) ▌LaVon Bracy Davis (D) ▌Bruce Antone (D) ▌Anna V. Eskamani (D) ▌Johanna López (D) ▌Rita Harris (D) ▌Leonard Spencer (D) ▌Jose Alvarez (D) ▌Paula Stark (R) ▌Jon Albert (R) ▌Jennifer Kincart Jonsson (R) ▌Jennifer Canady (R) ▌Josie Tomkow (R) ▌John Temple (R) ▌Jeff Holcomb (R) ▌Randy Maggard (R) ▌Kevin Steele (R) ▌Brad Yeager (R) ▌Adam Anderson (R) ▌Kim Berfield (R) ▌Berny Jacques (R) ▌Lindsay Cross (D) ▌Linda Chaney (R) ▌Michele Rayner (D) ▌Dianne Hart (D) ▌Susan Valdes (R) ▌Karen Gonzalez Pittman (R) ▌Traci Koster (R) ▌Fentrice Driskell (D) ▌Lawrence McClure (R) ▌Danny Alvarez (R) ▌Michael Owen (R) ▌Will Robinson (R) ▌Bill Conerly (R) ▌Fiona McFarland (R) ▌James Buchanan (R) ▌Danny Nix (R) ▌Vanessa Oliver (R) ▌Tiffany Esposito (R) ▌Jenna Persons-Mulicka (R) ▌Mike Giallombardo (R) ▌Adam Botana (R) ▌Yvette Benarroch (R) ▌Lauren Melo (R) ▌Kaylee Tuck (R) ▌Dana Trabulsy (R) ▌Toby Overdorf (R) ▌John Snyder (R) ▌Mike Caruso (R) ▌Jervonte Edmonds (D) ▌Debra Tendrich (D) ▌Joe Cassello (D) ▌Peggy Gossett-Seidman (R) ▌Kelly Skidmore (D) ▌Anne Gerwig (R) ▌Meg Weinberger (R) ▌Christine Hunschofsky (D) ▌Dan Daley (D) ▌Lisa Dunkley (D) ▌Patricia Hawkins-Williams (D) ▌Daryl Campbell (D) ▌Chip LaMarca (R) ▌Hillary Cassel (R) ▌Michael Gottlieb (D) ▌Robin Bartleman (D) ▌Felicia Robinson (D) ▌Marie Woodson (D) ▌Fabián Basabe (R) ▌Wallace Aristide (D) ▌Dotie Joseph (D) ▌Ashley Gantt (D) ▌Tom Fabricio (R) ▌David Borrero (R) ▌Alex Rizo (R) ▌Vicki Lopez (R) ▌Demi Busatta (R) ▌Omar Blanco (R) ▌Daniel Perez (R) ▌Kevin Chambliss (D) ▌Mike Redondo (R) ▌Juan Carlos Porras (R) ▌Jim Mooney (R)
▌Republican (86) ▌Democratic (33) ▌Vacant (1) Florida Legislature Florida House of Representatives Florida Senate

• Living people
• Republican Party members of the Florida House of Representatives
• Women state legislators in Florida
• Hispanic and Latino American state legislators in Florida
• Hispanic and Latino American women in politics
• American people of Venezuelan descent
• Christians from Florida
• Seminole State College of Florida alumni
• University of Central Florida alumni
• 21st-century American women politicians
• 1994 births
• 21st-century members of the Florida Legislature