Back in 2024, Republican state Rep. Fabian Basabe of Miami Beach made what he called a “verbal contract” with voters: If the allegations of sexual harassment made against him were borne out, he would step down. 

“This video message is my verbal contract to you. Not just you, but also my family, my friends and my entire community,” Basabe said in a video posted to his YouTube channel. “Should any of these allegations ever prove true against me at any point in the future, I would resign on the spot and be held accountable.”

On Wednesday evening, a jury in Leon County found Basabe liable for sexual harassment, battery and defamation in a civil case brought by two of the lawmaker’s former legislative staffers, who were awarded $450,000 in damages. 

Yet Basabe has not resigned – and there is no public indication that leadership in the Republican-dominated Florida Legislature will take action to impose any discipline in light of the verdict.

The office of Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez did not respond to multiple requests for comment from The Florida Trib. A spokesperson for Republican state Rep. Sam Garrison, who chairs the House Rules & Ethics Committee and is the incoming House speaker, referred questions to Perez’s office. 

Basabe has not been charged criminally in connection with the allegations, which he continues to deny. An external investigation conducted on behalf of the House ended in an “inconclusive” finding.

Basabe opted to represent himself in the civil trial, despite not being an attorney – a decision that led to a chaotic three days in court during which the lawmaker repeatedly violated legal procedures and judicial orders.

“I chose to defend myself because I am still naïve enough to believe that truth matters, that an ordinary citizen can stand in court, defend himself, and be judged on the facts,” Basabe said in a written statement to The Trib. 

“This is a difficult time for me and my family, but their confidence in who I am has not changed. Neither has my determination,” he added.

Still, Basabe’s actions have cast a shadow over the entire House, said state Rep. Mike Gottlieb, the top Democrat on the House Rules & Ethics Committee, which has the authority to reprimand members. 

“His tenure in the House has been plagued in controversy surrounding his behavior since his first year. He’s not an asset as a member and should resign from office,” Gottlieb said.

“His activities cast a negative view of the House and members and should be reviewed,” by the committee, Gottlieb added. 

Basabe, who is running for re-election, is a one-time reality television figure known for partying with celebrities before running for office. First elected in 2022 by a 240-vote margin in a traditionally Democratic-leaning area, Basabe helped flip Miami-Dade County red and hand Florida Republicans a supermajority in the House. 

For years, he has been dogged by scandal but has survived it all – winning re-election in 2024 after the Miami Herald published the account of a man who accused Basabe of drugging and raping him in 2003.

Still, the Florida House’s own rules make clear that elected officials must “respect and comply with the law,” and that the House “shall be free from unlawful employment discrimination,” which includes sexual harassment.

If members violate the rules, there are actions their colleagues can take, from investigations to reprimands to impeachment. 

Just two months ago, the ethics committee chaired by Speaker-Designate Garrison took the rare step of formally reprimanding Democratic state Rep. Angie Nixon for blaring a bullhorn on the House floor – disruptive actions that occurred in full view of scores of witnesses during deliberations that were livestreamed on the Florida Channel. 

“No one should take pleasure in reprimanding a fellow member. It stinks. I hate it,” Garrison said at the time. “But when the choice is protecting the House and doing something unpleasant that I’d rather not deal with, my responsibility as chair is to protect the House. Protect this institution. Every time.”

While Basabe’s actions were not livestreamed, complaints of sexual misconduct made by multiple accusers have mirrored each other dating back years and a court of law has now found him liable for such harassment, which the House’s rules list as impeachable conduct.

The Florida House could itself be held liable for Basabe’s actions; his former staffers have filed a separate lawsuit alleging the House mishandled the investigation into the lawmaker’s actions.

In 2018, the Florida Senate agreed to pay $900,000 to settle a complaint brought by a high-ranking legislative aide who alleged sexual misconduct by a state senator. 

Basabe’s accusers are scheduled to be back before a judge next week in their ongoing case against the House.

Kate Payne is The Florida Trib’s state government reporter. She can be reached at kate.payne@floridatrib.org.