Fort Myers Beach Fire Control District Commission chair John J. Scanlon has been suspended from office by Gov. Charlie Crist.

The suspension, which was issued this afternoon at 2:41 p.m., is effective immediately and will remain in effect until Crist issues an executive order re-instating him, Executive Order 09-47, issued Friday, states.

Scanlon is prohibited from performing any official act, duty, or function of his office, and from receiving pay until the order is recinded.

The suspension comes as a result of charges filed by the State Attorney’s Office on Jan. 26, the order states. Those charges are possession of cocaine, a felony, and possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia.

Scanlon was arrested Dec. 31. He has pleaded not guilty.

Source: Office of the Governor