State & National

Civil trial begins for Miami Beach lawmaker accused of sexual harassment and battery

A civil trial against Florida Representative Fabian Basabe (R-Miami Beach) opened Monday in Tallahassee, with three plaintiffs — a former legislative aide, an intern, and the aide’s mother — alleging sexual harassment, battery, and defamation. Attorneys for the plaintiffs described two separate physical incidents involving the aide and recounted inappropriate comments the intern says Basabe made about sex and marriage. Basabe, who is running for reelection and denies the allegations, is representing himself in the proceeding.

Sources: WCJB TV20