Florida’s Office of Election Crimes and Security Director, Peter Antonacci, collapsed and died in the governor’s office moments after leaving a contentious meeting on September 23, 2022. The incident was initially kept secret, with authorities only stating that Antonacci died while at work in the Capitol building. However, Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) records now reveal that Antonacci lay dead or dying on the hallway floor for over 20 minutes before anyone noticed and came to his aid.
According to FDLE reports, Antonacci was observed staggering as he left the conference room before collapsing to the floor. FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass and Chief of Staff Shane Desguin initiated life-saving measures, including CPR and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED). However, the AED advised that no shock was needed. Antonacci was declared dead when emergency medical services arrived.
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The meeting Antonacci attended was held in the governor’s office and included Secretary of State James “Cord” Byrd, his general counsel Bradley McVay, FDLE Commissioner Glass, FDLE Chief of Staff Desguin, FDLE Director of Executive Investigations Scott McInerney, Antonacci’s deputy Scott Strauss, and several unidentified individuals. The agenda and discussion topics of the meeting have not been disclosed.
The FDLE reports raise questions about why Antonacci lay undiscovered for so long and whether quicker action could have saved him. FDLE Commissioner Glass and Chief of Staff Desguin were alerted to Antonacci’s condition by a thud in the hallway and immediately rushed to his aid. They performed CPR and used an AED until help arrived.
The FDLE records, however, do not mention the presence of Governor Ron DeSantis at the meeting or at the scene of Antonacci’s collapse. Requests for additional information from Secretary of State Byrd and the governor’s Office of Open Government have yet to receive substantive responses.
The release of the FDLE reports was heavily redacted, citing exemptions for security and fire safety information, as well as the privacy provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA). The identities of meeting attendees and the reason for Antonacci’s collapse remain undisclosed.
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Antonacci, who was appointed by Governor DeSantis in July 2022, had previously served as Broward’s Supervisor of Elections and held various political positions throughout his career. The exact cause of his death has not been disclosed.
