Fabián Basabe (born March 30, 1978) is an American businessman and former reality television star who has served as a member of the Florida House of Representatives for the 106th district since November 8, 2022.[1]
Fabián Basabe | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Florida House of Representatives from the 106th district | |
| Assumed office November 8, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Michael Grieco |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 30, 1978 New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Martina Borgomanero (m. 2005) |
| Education | Pepperdine University |
Early life and education
editBasabe was born in New York City to an American mother and an Ecuadorian father. In 1987, Basabe's family moved to Miami, where his parents operated a hotel. He graduated from Cheshire Academy.[2] He studied international relations at Pepperdine University before moving to Manhattan, where he became a socialite and television personality.[3][4]
Career
editPrior to entering politics, Basabe appeared in the reality television series Filthy Rich: Cattle Drive. He was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in November 2022.[5][6]
In 2021, Basabe filed to run for Miami Beach City Commissioner, but was removed from the ballot when it was found he did not meet the Miami Beach one-year residency requirement.[7]
Basabe describes himself as fiscally conservative and socially liberal.[8][9]
Legal issues
editIn 2016, Basabe was charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct in Miami Beach after he climbed on the roof of a car and shouted at pedestrians as the vehicle traveled down Washington Avenue.[10]
The Miami New Times reported Basabe's encounter with U.S. Marshals in August 2020, when "armed agents surrounded him on his boat in a marina near Charleston, South Carolina." According to the report, "agents were acting on an outstanding warrant after Basabe allegedly failed to address a criminal charge arising from a Miami Beach incident in which he grabbed a neighbor's phone." Basabe was extradited from South Carolina to Florida.[10] State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle asked Governor DeSantis to reassign Basabe's case to a different jurisdiction after Basabe repeatedly tried to influence the prosecutor.[11]
On April 13, 2023, CBS 4 Miami reported an allegation that Basabe physically assaulted his 25-year-old legislative aide. In a statement to CBS 4, the aide claimed Basabe had been drinking after Governor Ron DeSantis's inauguration on January 3, before slapping him in the face and demanding he stand in a corner. The law firm hired by the Florida House leadership to conduct an investigation into the slapping concluded that the incident was "inconclusive."[12]
In July 2023, two male aides filed complaints alleging Basabe sexually harassed them, saying he told them he wanted to have sex and wanted to be a "bottom" while they could be "tops". A legislative aide said Basabe slapped him on the buttocks during a visit to a local elementary school and said, "I want all of that butt." A volunteer in Basabe's office claimed that Basabe instructed him to openly flirt with him when they were at the state capitol. Both men say Basabe showed them a photo of a naked man on his phone. Basabe denied the accusations, calling them "ridiculous."[13]
On July 6, 2023, the aide and an intern filed a lawsuit in Leon County, Florida, asserting that Basabe battered both of them, and the aide and his mother have alleged that Basabe defamed them after Basabe posted a Twitter statement about them calling them a mother-son con duo, and claiming that an investigation conducted by a law firm has concluded "rightly in [his] favor" but which had, in fact, been found to be "inconclusive." The lawsuit was later amended by the aide and the intern to add three counts of sexual harassment.
References
edit- ^ "Fabián Basabe - 2022 - 2024 ( Speaker Renner )". www.myfloridahouse.gov. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
- ^ "About". Fabián Basabe for Florida State House Representative. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
- ^ Sokol, Brett (December 16, 2004). "It Isn't Easy Being Fabulous". Miami New Times. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
- ^ Feinstein, Naomi (October 24, 2022). "Erstwhile "It" Boy Fabián Basabe's Exploits Resurface in Run for State Office". Miami New Times. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
- ^ Swanson, Jess (July 30, 2021). "All Growed Up? Former "It" Boy Runs for Miami Beach Commission". Miami New Times. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
- ^ Scheckner, Jesse (November 15, 2022). "Fabían Basabe wins close contest for HD 106 after recount". Florida Politics. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
- ^ Vassolo, Martin (September 24, 2021). "Judge disqualifies Miami Beach commission candidate, securing Samuelian election win". Miami Herald. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
- ^ Majchrowicz, Michael (August 13, 2021). "Fabian Basabe Booted From Democratic LGBTQ Caucus Conference". Miami New Times. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
- ^ Funcheon, Deirdra (November 9, 2022). "Election results: Miami-Dade Commission, Miami Beach runoff and more". Axios. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
- ^ a b "Erstwhile "It" Boy Fabián Basabe's Exploits Resurface in Run for State Office".
- ^ "State of Florida" (PDF). flgov.com. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
- ^ "State Rep. Basabe under investigation for allegedly slapping an aide". CBS News.
- ^ "State Rep. Fabian Basabe faces allegations of sexual harassment". CBS News.