New documents released by Florida state law enforcement revealed that the director of Florida’s Office of Election Security, who died last year shortly after attending a meeting in Governor Ron DeSantis’ office, was not approached for 24 minutes after his death outside DeSantis’ office.
Election Security Director Pete Atonacci, 74, walked out of a heated meeting in September of last year in a conference room inside the governor’s office.
Investigators revealed that Atonacci “abruptly got up from his seat and walked out” of the meeting after becoming agitated.
Surveillance footage shows Atonacci staggering out of the conference room at 1:46 p.m.; he soon fell and hit his head on a door frame.
It wasn’t until 24 minutes later that he received help.
Participants in the meeting included James C. Byrd, Florida Secretary of State, officials from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), and several attorneys for DeSantis and Byrd.
Desantis was not reported as attending the meeting.
Florida official’s body undiscovered for 24 minutes outside DeSantis’ office https://t.co/Un10fcGHKo pic.twitter.com/Jnxh9bvmS2
– WFLA NEWS (@WFLA) November 28, 2023
By USA today:
The director of Florida’s controversial Office of Election Security, who died last year just after a meeting in Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office, was left unattended for 24 minutes before being found, according to new documents released by the force of the order of the State.
Pete Antonacci, 74, left abruptly during a contentious meeting on September 23 last year in a conference room in the governor’s office with 11 participants, including Secretary of State Cord Byrd and officials from the Department of Justice. Florida law enforcement and attorneys from Byrd and DeSantis.
Antonacci, a native of Hialeah in Miami-Dade County, was known as a “Mr.” Fix-it” for his varied roles in state government over the years. He had been appointed by DeSantis to head the controversial, recently created Office of Election Crimes and Security.
FDLE Director Scott McInerney, who was present at the meeting, said an “agitated” Antonacci “abruptly” got up from his seat and walked out. There was no record of what was discussed at the meeting or what might have prompted Antonacci to leave the meeting alone.
DeSantis aide stood ‘dead or dying’ outside governor’s office for 24 minuteshttps://t.co/bXBW3z1WFZ
– The Independent (@Indépendant) November 28, 2023
Amtonacci’s wife and doctor told authorities that Pete had a history of heart problems and heart disease.
There is no suspicion of foul play.
