Charlotte County Commissioner faces backlash over patient photos

Constance claims photos were 'mistakenly uploaded' to his county-issued laptop

Apr. 14, 2026 at 10:40pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a computer hard drive with a bright, harsh flash illuminating the intricate metal and circuit board details, conceptually representing the investigation into a privacy breach.A county commissioner's alleged mishandling of patient data raises urgent questions about privacy protections and public trust in elected officials.Port Charlotte Today

Charlotte County Commissioner Chris Constance is facing public scrutiny after a county IT worker discovered photographs of patients, some of them nude, on his county-issued laptop in 2025. Constance has publicly commented on the incident for the first time, claiming the photos were 'mistakenly uploaded' to his device.

Why it matters

This incident has raised serious concerns about patient privacy and the potential misuse of sensitive medical information by an elected official. As a county commissioner, Constance is entrusted with upholding the public's trust, and the discovery of these photos on his government-issued laptop has called that trust into question.

The details

According to reports, the county IT worker found the photos of patients, some of whom were nude, on Constance's county-issued laptop in 2025. Constance has now publicly addressed the incident, claiming the photos were 'mistakenly uploaded' to his device. However, the nature and circumstances surrounding the photos have not been fully explained, leaving many unanswered questions about how they ended up on the commissioner's laptop and the potential implications for patient privacy.

  • The photos were discovered on Constance's county-issued laptop in 2025.

The players

Chris Constance

Charlotte County Commissioner who is facing backlash over the discovery of patient photos, some nude, on his county-issued laptop.

Charlotte County IT worker

A county employee who discovered the patient photos on Constance's laptop in 2025.

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What they’re saying

“The photos were mistakenly uploaded to my county-issued laptop.”

— Chris Constance, Charlotte County Commissioner

What’s next

The incident is currently under investigation, and it remains to be seen whether any further action will be taken against Constance or if there will be any consequences for the alleged privacy breach.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of elected officials upholding the highest standards of ethics and the need for robust safeguards to protect sensitive patient information, even when it involves those in positions of power.