Chandler Langevin, a candidate for the Palm Bay City Council, is currently under criminal investigation for allegedly misappropriating over $6,500 in campaign contributions from his previous run for state representative. Although Langevin is not considered a serious contender in the current city council race, this investigation marks the latest in a series of controversies involving the candidate. His criminal history revealed in a background check for the Brevard Sheriff’s Office revealed a history of theft and DUI.
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Langevin initially failed to qualify for the 2022 state house race in District 32, later shifting his campaign and donations to run in District 33, covering South Brevard. When Randy Fine’s preferred candidate and Moms for Liberty leader Monique Miller, entered the race, Langevin was reportedly advised to withdraw and instead run for the Palm Bay City Council. He complied, officially switching his candidacy on September 25, 2023.
The issue now under investigation stems from the campaign funds Langevin received while running for the state races. After withdrawing, Florida law required him to file a ‘termination report’ with the Florida Division of Elections, detailing the disposal of any remaining campaign funds. Langevin was supposed to complete this by December 26, 2023. However, according to the Division of Elections, he failed to submit the report. His last filed campaign finance report indicated a balance of $6,578 in his account.
Florida law provides clear guidelines for the disposition of leftover campaign funds when a candidate withdraws from a race. The options include returning contributions to donors, donating to a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, transferring the funds to an office account (if applicable), transferring the funds to the executive committee of their political party, or depositing the funds into the General Revenue Fund of the State.
What a candidate cannot do, under any circumstances, is keep the funds for personal use. Such actions constitute fraud and are the basis for the current criminal investigation against Langevin.
If the investigation confirms that Langevin indeed used the campaign funds for personal purposes, he could face several serious criminal charges:
Misuse of Campaign Funds (Campaign Finance Violations):
Charge: Misuse of campaign funds, a violation of Florida election laws.
Penalty: This is typically considered a third-degree felony, punishable by up to 5 years in prison, a fine of up to $5,000, and restitution for any misappropriated funds.
Theft:
Charge: If Langevin is found to have intentionally converted campaign funds for personal use, he could be charged with theft.
Penalty: Depending on the amount, theft involving $10,000 to $20,000 is usually charged as a third-degree felony, carrying penalties similar to those for misuse of campaign funds.
Fraud:
Charge: If Langevin used deceitful means to hide or misrepresent the use of campaign funds, he could be charged with fraud.
Penalty: Fraud involving financial misrepresentation or deceit is also typically a third-degree felony, with penalties of up to 5 years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.
Additionally, the Division of Elections may impose fines for failing to file the required termination report. The fines start at $50 per day for the first three days, escalating to $500 per day thereafter. However, the total fine is capped at 25% of the total receipts or expenditures, or $10,000, whichever is less. In Langevin’s case, the maximum fine could be approximately $5,500. If the Commission determines that Langevin’s failure to file the report was willful, he could face additional penalties and legal action.
These allegations, if proven true, would echo the familiar corruption cases in Palm Bay’s recent history, including the bribery allegations involving Monique Miller’s husband, Gregg Lynk, the former city manager of Palm Bay who was fired amid scandal.
