Attorney General James Uthmeier announces arrest of woman in fraud investigation involving Florida constitutional amendment petitions

Tallahassee, Florida – Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the arrest of Alexandria Mary Beatrice Tatem in connection with a fraud investigation involving a constitutional amendment petition. Tatem faces charges of Perjury by False Written Declaration, a third-degree felony under Florida law, after submitting a petition that falsely claimed to have been signed by a deceased voter.

The arrest comes following a joint investigation led by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Office of Executive Investigations and the Elections Crime Unit. Attorney General Uthmeier emphasized the seriousness of the case, stating, “We will not tolerate fraud, let alone fraud that undermines the integrity of Florida’s nation-leading election system or uses the names of deceased voters to change our state’s constitution. This arrest shows our commitment to upholding the law and protecting the sanctity of Florida’s elections. My office will continue to lead the charge against any form of voter fraud in Florida.”

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According to the investigation, Tatem, a registered Paid Petition Circulator (PPC), submitted a petition in support of a constitutional amendment initiative titled Adult Personal Use of Marijuana (Amendment 25-01), which was sponsored by Smart & Safe Florida. The petition listed Amy Akins, a Florida voter who had passed away on January 10, 2024, as a signer. This date was more than a year before the petition was allegedly signed, making the submission fraudulent.

As part of her role as a PPC, Tatem was required by law to swear under penalty of perjury that every petition she submitted had been signed in her presence. She also signed an affidavit on the petition affirming this requirement had been met. During a sworn interview conducted by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement on July 1, 2025, in Killeen, Texas, Tatem confirmed that she had signed the affidavit and submitted the petition despite being shown that the listed voter had died more than a year before the signature date.

Investigators discovered that Tatem had been registered as a PPC with the Florida Department of State’s Division of Elections since 2019. She was actively collecting and submitting petitions in the Tampa Bay and Sarasota areas. Election officials identified the forged petition after cross-referencing the voter’s records and noting that the alleged signer was deceased prior to the petition’s submission.

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The Office of Statewide Prosecution has charged Tatem with one count of Perjury by False Written Declaration. As a third-degree felony, the charge carries a potential prison sentence of up to five years. Authorities stress that this prosecution is part of a broader effort to ensure the integrity of the state’s election processes and to deter fraudulent activities that could influence constitutional amendments.

Election integrity in Florida has been a top priority for state officials, and this case underscores the legal obligations of petition circulators. Paid Petition Circulators, like Tatem, are entrusted with a significant responsibility to accurately record signatures and follow strict verification procedures. Violations of these responsibilities not only jeopardize individual petitions but can also undermine public confidence in statewide initiatives.

Attorney General Uthmeier’s office has urged any individuals with information related to fraudulent petition activity to come forward. The case also highlights the importance of vigilant oversight in the petition process, which is a critical component of Florida’s citizen-driven ballot initiative system.

The investigation and arrest have sent a clear message to PPCs and other election participants across the state: attempts to falsify petition signatures or misrepresent voter participation will be met with swift legal action. As Florida continues to navigate a complex political landscape with multiple ballot initiatives under review, officials emphasize that the integrity of the petition process is fundamental to maintaining public trust in the democratic system.

With Tatem facing charges and the investigation ongoing, state authorities continue to monitor petition activities closely, ensuring that all constitutional amendment initiatives are supported by valid, legally obtained signatures. The arrest also serves as a reminder of the serious consequences that accompany violations of election law in Florida.