Jack Twardokus, 44, charged with several counts of burglary and sexual battery, allegedly entered homes at night, either naked or with his genitals exposed, to terrorize, fondle or rape his victims.

"This is someone who doesn't think like you and I do," Naples police spokesman Jon Maines said.

Twardokus has been held at Collier County Jail since Oct. 19, when he was arrested after allegedly being caught exposing his genitals to a couple in a hot tub. Police say he confessed Monday to four other incidents, the oldest one dating back to June 2000.

Broward elections boss begins cutting costs

FORT LAUDERDALE -- Broward County Elections Supervisor Miriam Oliphant has begun a department-wide cost-cutting program, and said she will cut her own salary if state law allows it.

A Tuesday letter from the governor's office told her to take immediate action and report back by Dec. 9.

Oliphant announced Monday that a voter outreach program has been discontinued, a move that she says will save $300,000.

The moves are in response to an audit released last week, which charged Oliphant with violating state law, overspending her budget by nearly $1-million and possibly engaging in conflicts of interest.

"We are working on the issues that were brought to our attention," Oliphant said. "I am taking responsibility."

Gov. Jeb Bush said he still may suspend Oliphant, but indicated he's leaning toward leaving the supervisor's future in the job up to county voters.

"I don't take lightly the idea of removing from office elected officials," Bush said. "Ultimately, if she decides to run again she'll have her chance in front of the voters."

Bush also had his general counsel, Charles T. Canady, send Oliphant a letter expressing "grave concerns" over the audit's findings.

"You must take seriously the recommendations made by the auditor and overhaul the business practices your office utilizes in procuring and paying for goods and services," Canady said in the letter.

Elsewhere . . .

TODDLER STILL MISSING: The Florida Department of Law Enforcement increased the reward for any information leading to the return of 1-year-old Ta'Niyah Leonard to $15,000. Ta'Niyah, of Bartow, has been missing since Oct. 19, when her mother, 17-year-old Miranda Jones, said she dropped her off with her former boyfriend, Michael Anthony Lewis. Lewis, 19, has told police Jones picked up the baby and he does not know her whereabouts.

GAY RIGHTS MEASURE ADVANCES: Orlando's City Council has given preliminary approval to including protection of gays and lesbians in the city's antidiscrimination laws. The council cast a preliminary 4-3 vote for the measure after an eight-hour public hearing Monday night. The final vote is set for Dec. 2.

Back to State news

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright

Special Links

Lucy Morgan

From the Times state desk