Future uncertain for Hernando Co. commissioner accused of paying for sex

He was arrested Thursday, accused of running a house of prostitution and paying women for sex

Now, Hernando County voters and lawmakers say Commissioner Nicholas Nicholson should step aside.

Investigators say the 71-year-old elected official had a woman and her husband living at his house.

“He said that if we moved in with him he would pay for everything, the U-Haul, pay to fix our car, pay for groceries, pay me twice a week for my services,” said victim Valerie Surette.

The pair met while Surette was working as an exotic dancer Now she has a restraining order against Nicholson, and he could be out of a job.

“He would be doing his community and himself a very large favor by resigning,” Florida Sena. Wilton Simpson said.

The Republican senator representing Hernando County says Nicholson should step aside. After meeting Thursday night, the Hernando County Republican Party agrees.

“Last night, 04/19/2018, the Hernando County Republican Party met and agreed to another resolution consistent with the previous one from October 2015 requesting the immediate resignation of Nick Nicholson from his county commission office due to a pattern of behavior inconsistent with the expectations of an elected official.” - John Allocco Hernando County Republican Party Chairman

If Nicholson won’t step down from the office on his own, the governor can suspend him, then the Senate can vote to have him removed.

“Governor Scott expects all elected officials to behave ethically and responsibly. Our office is aware of this and reviewing the details. We will keep you updated on any action taken.” - McKinley Lewis, Office of Governor Rick Scott.

“This is not the first problems he has had since he’s been in office, and I hope that he would save his community from that embarrassment,” Simpson said.

Similar accusations against Nicholson came to light back in 2015. A different woman claimed he would drive her to buy drugs. The commissioner ignored calls for his resignation and was actually re-elected to his seat for a second term.

This time around, voters we spoke with aren’t all convinced the lawmaker needs to go.

“It sounds like he shouldn’t be a County Commissioner, especially since this isn’t his first little run in,” said one woman.

“Usually when someone’s already been accused of that people tend to think that he’s already guilty, I hate to say that but I do wanna hear the evidence first,” Brian McKinnon said.