A Leon County jury ordered Republican state Rep. Fabian Basabe to pay $450,000 after finding him liable for sexual harassment, battery and defamation. The civil judgment came at the end of a trial brought by former legislative aide Nicolas Frevola, former intern Jacob Cutbirth and Frevola's mother. Basabe represented himself in court despite having no legal training. The trial was repeatedly interrupted by procedural mistakes and violations of the judge's orders.
Circuit Judge J. Lee Marsh told Basabe directly that if an attorney had done half of what he had done, they would have been sanctioned. Basabe told jurors he represented himself because he wanted to demonstrate that he had nothing to hide. However, after the verdict, he acknowledged that proceeding without an attorney was a mistake. The judge's comments underscored the severity of Basabe's courtroom conduct during the proceedings.
Basabe continues to deny the underlying allegations against him. He has not been criminally charged, and an outside ethics investigation conducted for the Florida House previously reached an inconclusive finding. Despite the civil judgment, Basabe maintains his innocence regarding the claims of sexual harassment, battery and defamation brought by the plaintiffs. His political opponents quickly called for his resignation following the verdict.
Basabe is seeking reelection this fall. The verdict could renew questions about whether House leaders will pursue disciplinary action against him. The case represents a significant legal setback for the Republican lawmaker as he campaigns to retain his seat. The $450,000 judgment reflects the jury's findings on multiple claims including sexual harassment, battery and defamation brought by two former staff members and the mother of one of them.