Jacksonville Beach council moves to terminate city attorney accused of sex crime

Chris Ambrosio accused of lewd and lascivious molestation of minor

Jacksonville Beach City Attorney Chris Ambrosio appears before a judge. (WJXT)

JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. – In an emergency meeting Thursday evening, Jacksonville Beach City Council placed City Attorney Christopher Ambrosio on administrative leave and directed staff to prepare documents to terminate him for cause.

Ambrosio, 48, was arrested by the Atlantic Beach Police Department on a charge of lewd and lascivious molestation of a minor. He was booked into the Duval County jail early Wednesday morning.

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Court records show the alleged victim is between 12 and 16 years old.

While on leave, Ambrosio can use up vacation, other PTO and unused sick leave. City council will meet again in 30 days and vote on his termination. Five of the seven council members must vote for removal for him to be dismissed.

Ambrosio has been ordered held on a $120,000 bond on two charges, which included contributing to the delinquency or dependency of a child. If he makes bond, he must wear a GPS monitor and is not to come within 750 feet of the alleged victim or their family.

According to a police report from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, Ambrosio has hung out with the alleged victim on several occasions.

RELATED: Jacksonville Beach city attorney arrested, accused of molesting minor

Around 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Ambrosio went to the Atlantic Beach Police Station and provided a two-hour taped statement, which was redacted in the report. He was arrested after the interview.

His arraignment is set for April 14.


About the Author:

Jim Piggott is the reporter to count on when it comes to city government and how it will affect the community.