ORLANDO, Fla. — A former Democratic candidate for the Florida Legislature acknowledged to state investigators that she lied when she said she was a medical doctor who had removed 77 bullets from 32 victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting in 2016.
A state Department of Health report released last week shows Catherine “Elizabeth” McCarthy told an investigator that she knew what she did was wrong.
The gun-safety forum in March was attended by U.S. Rep. Darren Soto, along with a sheriff and a Pulse survivor.
Earlier this month, McCarthy withdrew from the 2020 Democratic primary for a Florida House seat that covers suburban Orlando. In her withdrawal letter, she cited “professional obligations” as her reason.
Reached by telephone Monday, McCarthy said she couldn’t talk.
Gunman Omar Mateen killed 49 patrons at the gay nightclub.
