Following up on our discussion yesterday regarding public corruption, official misconduct is another type of crime for which public officials can be prosecuted.
Florida law states that "it is unlawful for a public servant, with corrupt intent to obtain a benefit for any person or to cause harm to another, to: falsify, or cause another person to falsify, any official record or official document; conceal, cover up, destroy, mutilate, or alter any official record or official document or cause another person to perform such an act; or obstruct, delay, or prevent the communication of information relating to the commission of a felony that directly involves or affects the public agency or public entity served by the public servant.
Official misconduct by a public servant is a third-degree felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison.