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Fla. lawmaker's aide fired after claiming Parkland students were crisis actors

Benjamin A. Kelly sent an email to a reporter at the Tampa Bay Times.

Benjamin Kelly was fired from his job as aide to state Rep. Shawn Harrison.

An aide to a Tampa state lawmaker was fired after alleging students who spoke out after the Parkland shooting were actually actors.

Benjamin A. Kelly, the district secretary for Rep. Shawn Harrison, sent an email Tuesday to a reporter at our news partner The Tampa Bay Times, alleging the students "travel to various crisis when they happen."

Here's the email. I asked for more information to back up the claim and was sent another email that linked to a YouTube conspiracy video. pic.twitter.com/VRSVOcjj3E
— Alex Leary (@learyreports) February 20, 2018

Shortly after the tweet circulated, Harrison first said Kelly had been placed on leave and that he did not share his aide's opinion.

I was just made aware that my aide made an insensitive and inappropriate allegation about Parkland students today. I have spoken to him and placed him on leave until we determine an appropriate course of action. I do not share his opinion and he did so without my knowledge.
— Shawn Harrison (@Shawnfor63) February 20, 2018

Then later, Harrison said Kelly had been fired.

Tonight Mr. Kelly was terminated from his position as my District Secretary. I am appalled at and strongly denounce his comments about the Parkland students. I am again sorry for any pain this has caused the grieving families of this tragedy.
— Shawn Harrison (@Shawnfor63) February 21, 2018

Speaker of the Florida House Richard Corcoran, who oversees all House employees, fired Kelly and issued an apology to the students.

I was shocked and angry to read the appalling email about the brave students who traveled to Tallahassee today. Representative @Shawnfor63 immediately contacted me and with his full support, I terminated the employment of the individual responsible. 1/2
— Richard Corcoran (@richardcorcoran) February 20, 2018

Kelly issued a statement on Twitter, saying he "made a mistake whereas I tried to inform a reporter of information relating to his story regarding a school shooting. This was not my responsibility. I meant no disrespect to the students or parents of Parkland."

Kelly was an aide to former Hillsborough County commissioner and state Sen. Jim Norman, and in 2012 he was found guilty of failing to file and pay his taxes.

For more, read the Times report.