Three Broward County judges are actually dealing with disciplinary motion from the Florida Supreme Court docket, every for conduct starting from inappropriate remarks on the bench to questionable marketing campaign conduct. The developments mark an uncommon convergence of judicial misconduct circumstances inside one of many state’s busiest circuits.
The newest motion got here Thursday, when the Supreme Court docket ordered the rapid suspension with out pay of Circuit Choose Gary Farmer Jr. whereas formal proceedings proceed. Farmer, a former state senator elected to the bench in 2022, is accused of creating a string of inappropriate feedback from the bench, which the Judicial {Qualifications} Fee (JQC) deemed “undignified” and “degrading.”
Among the many cited remarks: telling a male defendant with youngsters by three completely different girls to “put on a condom always,” joking that he shouldn’t impregnate his court-appointed feminine legal professional, and making feedback referencing homosexual intercourse and a feminine deputy’s look, calling her “woman.”
Farmer has acknowledged the remarks as “unhealthy jokes,” however the JQC says they fall far wanting judicial requirements. In recommending the indefinite suspension, the Fee mentioned Farmer’s feedback undermined public confidence within the judiciary. Farmer responded this week, saying he has discovered his lesson and that a right away suspension is extreme.
In the meantime, two different Broward judges are additionally dealing with penalties.
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County Choose Mardi Levey Cohen has been suspended for 10 days with out pay and might be publicly reprimanded after the court docket discovered she made false accusations towards her 2022 election opponent and reported a church that hosted her opponent to the IRS in an obvious try and problem its tax-exempt standing. The court docket mentioned she acted with out proof.
Additionally accepting a 10-day suspension and public reprimand is Circuit Choose Stefanie Moon. As beforehand reported by NBC6 Investigates, Moon questioned a lawyer in court docket about why he didn’t reply to her request for marketing campaign help. She additionally admitted to creating political donations whereas serving as a choose and improperly contacting a future witness in a pending case.
Makes an attempt to achieve Farmer, Levey Cohen, and Moon for remark have been unsuccessful.
Whereas the disciplinary highlight on three judges in the identical circuit is uncommon, Broward is house to greater than 90 judges—roughly 10% of Florida’s complete and the best quantity exterior of Miami-Dade.
