BRADENTON — Judge Frederick Mercurio denied former county administrator Scott Hopes’ defense motion to dismiss some of the felony counts against him during a hearing on November 17. The defense withdrew its request for dismissal on additional counts.
Hopes has been indicted on seven separate charges related to his time serving as county administrator: three felony theft charges, three felony fraudulent use of public records, and one misdemeanor theft charge.
At yesterday’s hearing, defense counsel for Hopes withdrew an earlier request for the judge’s consideration of dismissal on all counts, opting only to seek dismissal on the three felony fraudulent use of public records charges and the single misdemeanor theft. Judge Mercurio denied the defense’s motion on Monday.
Hopes' counsel submitted defense exhibits 1-5 during the hearing, which the judge admitted into evidence. Additional defense exhibits were marked, but not admitted.
The list of alleged crimes committed by the former county official previously included a felony notary fraud offense, but state prosecutors later dropped that count.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the only upcoming hearing on the docket is a case management hearing scheduled for March 26, 2026. Additional hearings may be scheduled before then.
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