State representative Mike Horner resigns after being linked to Florida brothel

A State Representative has resigned after his name was involved in a prostitution investigation in Florida.

Mike Hoer, a 44-year-old Republican from Kissimmee with a wife and son, had been favorite to take a third term in his district.

His name appeared on a client list of an alleged brothel owner Mark Risner, 55, who is accused of running the operation out of his Orange County home.

Investigators found hundreds of names and Hoer shut down his campaign website shortly after his name became public, according to the Miami Herald.

The speaker-designate of the Florida House of Representatives said today that Hoer will not seek re-election.

Will Weatherford said Hoer made the right decision, and it was in the best interests of his family and the state of Florida.

 

Arrested: Mark Risner, 55, was arrested on prostitution charges for allegedly running a brother from his Orange County home

Beie Presha, a spokesman for the State Attoey's Office in Orlando, said the name Mike Hoer was found on a list of names in the garbage of a defendant arrested ten days ago for running a prostitution ring.

Mark Risner faces racketeering and prostitution charges over an alleged brothel that he ran out of his Orange County home. 

Presha says Hoer is not being investigated for any crime. 

There was no response from Hoer's offices in Kissimmee and Tallahassee.

His campaign website - gohoer.com - is down for 'maintenance issues'.

In a statement, he said: 'I deeply regret decisions I made that are causing my family unjustifiable pain and embarrassment.

'While current press accounts from this moing are erroneous, my family still deserves better from me, as do all my friends, supporters and constituents.

'So today I am announcing I will no longer seek reelection to the Florida House.'

Hoer was elected in 2008 and has been an active member of the Florida house along with the chamber of commerce and veterans' groups. He received a 'Golden Eagle' award from the Osceola Boy Scouts in 2006.

The politician is also a lifetime member of the NRA and sits on the board of the Good Samaritan retirement village.

Mike Hoer has a wife Abby, from Kissimmee, and son called Lawson.

Scandal: The House of Representatives in Florida from which Hoer has immediately stepped down