The State Board of Administration has filed a lawsuit seeking to recover about $50,000 paid out to former Rep. Dwayne Taylor, who was convicted last year on federal wire-fraud charges.
The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in Leon County circuit court, said Taylor, a Daytona Beach Democrat who served in the House from 2008 to 2016, received $50,018 from his “investment plan” account in the Florida Retirement System. The state contends that Taylor is required to forfeit the benefits because the crimes occurred while he was in office.
The lawsuit seeks repayment of $49,998 plus interest and costs of collection.
Taylor was convicted and sentenced to 13 months in prison on charges related to the personal use of campaign funds. He was ordered to pay back $62,834 in $300 monthly installments once he is released from prison. It is illegal in Florida to use campaign contributions for normal living expenses. Taylor has filed an appeal that is pending in the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta.