Fabián Basabe
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. |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Martina Borgomanero (m. 2005) |
| Education | Pepperdine University |
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]
He has had a string of legal issues including various accusations of sexual harassment and abuse.
Early life and education
Basabe 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
Prior to entering politics, Basabe appeared in the reality television series Filthy Rich: Cattle Drive.[5] 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.[6] He was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in November 2022.[5][7]
Basabe describes himself as fiscally conservative and socially liberal.[8][9]
Legal issues
In 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]
In August 2020, Basabe encountered U.S. Marshals, 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 Florida Governor Ron 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 male legislative aide. 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 May 2023, several male aides filed complaints with the Florida House, 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 September 5, 2025, the Miami Herald published an updated article about a straight man, whom the newspaper referred to as "Michael." The Herald reported that Michael had seen an article about details of other claims made against Basabe since his election to the Florida House in 2022, including his alleged sexual harassment of two former legislative aides. In the article, 'Michael' was reported as stating that in 2003, Basabe invited him to his condo, and hit on him, gave him a drugged drink, and while 'Michael' was incapacitated, Basabe proceeded to take Michael's penis into his mouth, and also sodomized him. Basabe claimed the accusations were false.[14]
In July 2026, Basabe was found liable in a civil suit for sexual harassment and was ordered to pay $450,000.[15]
References
- ↑ "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.
- 1 2 Swanson, Jess (July 30, 2021). "All Growed Up? Former "It" Boy Runs for Miami Beach Commission". Miami New Times. 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.
- ↑ Scheckner, Jesse (November 15, 2022). "Fabían Basabe wins close contest for HD 106 after recount". Florida Politics. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
- ↑ 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.
- 1 2 "Erstwhile "It" Boy Fabián Basabe's Exploits Resurface in Run for State Office".
- ↑ "State of Florida" (PDF). flgov.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 16, 2020. 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.
- ↑ Aaron Leibowitz (September 8, 2025), "Police investigating man's claim that Florida legislator drugged, raped him in 2003", Miami Herald, retrieved October 16, 2025
- ↑ https://floridapolitics.com/archives/807885-jury-finds-fabian-basabe-liable-in-sexual-harassment-trial/
