SARASOTA, FL — In a scandal that’s attracting national attention, a Lakewood Ranch candidate for the Florida House admitted Monday that she lied about graduating from college and has announced she is dropping out of the race.

Melissa Howard, who was running in the Aug. 28 Republican Primary for the District 73 seat, which includes eastern Manatee County and part of eastern Sarasota County, apologized for falsely claiming she received a college degree.

“I would like to apologize to my family and my supporters for this situation,” said Howard in a written statement to the media. “It was not my intent to deceive or mislead anyone. I made a mistake in saying that I completed my degree. What I did was wrong and set a bad example for someone seeking public service.”

On Monday, however, she said she intended to remain in the race.

“I am staying in the race and intend to win and lead by example from now on,” she said.

In the 24 hours since, Howard had a change of heart and announced she is dropping out.

Howard’s deception was discovered after she claimed on her campaign website to be a graduate of Miami University in Ohio with a degree in marketing. The school doesn’t offer a marketing degree.

When questioned about the discrepancy, she posted of a photo on her website showing she and her mother holding a framed diploma from the school.

Although Howard has quit the race, former Manatee County Republican Party chairwoman Donna Hayes believes she should be held accountable. She has sent a letter to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement asking for an investigation of the Lakewood Ranch businesswoman for possible criminal fraud.

“Manufacturing academic credentials for gain is a serious crime,” she wrote. “While voters certainly will not be fooled, there may be many other clients and businesses that paid her fees for services based on a false level of academic achievement.”

Florida statute 817.566 states that “Any person, with intent to defraud, misrepresents his or her association with, or academic standing or progress at, any post-secondary educational institution by falsely making, altering, simulating, or forging” a degree is guilty of a first-degree misdemeanor.

“She has committed a crime which is outlined under the Florida statutes,” said Hayes.

Images via Melissa Howard’s campaign website

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