Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaMay 4, 2017

The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday ordered a 90-day unpaid suspension and public reprimand for an Orlando-area judge who “circulated a deceptive, misleading advertisement.” The court’s hearing panel also suggested paranoia on the part of Circuit Judge Kimberly Shepard, who believed “sinister forces (were) at work” trying to defeat her, they said. Shepard previously was a Democratic state […]

Martin DyckmanFebruary 22, 2017

Is Florida’s judicial ethics commission about to become collateral damage in a battle over the independence of the courts? House Speaker Richard Corcoran, the Land O’Lakes Republican, appears to have targeted the Judicial Qualifications Commission (JQC) along with the courts themselves in his campaign to curb the independence of the judiciary. The JQC and the […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 14, 2017

A new House panel on Tuesday moved two measures aimed at tightening ethics requirements at the local government level. The Public Integrity and Ethics Commitee, chaired by Yalaha Republican Larry Metz, OK’d proposals (PCB PIE 17-03, PCB PIE 17-04) that would increase local officials’ financial disclosure, clamp down on potential conflicts of interest and create a Local Government Lobbyist […]

Staff ReportsDecember 29, 2016

Circuit Judge Mark Hulsey III of Jacksonville has apologized after a new charge of judicial misconduct was leveled against him. On Thursday, Hulsey filed his answer to a second amended complaint of judicial misconduct by the Judicial Qualifications Commission (JQC), filed earlier this month. It said he “directed (his) Judicial Assistant to overnight personal packages related to (his) campaign, using the 4th Judicial […]

Jim RosicaDecember 9, 2016

Circuit Judge Mark Hulsey III of Jacksonville now faces a second amended complaint of judicial misconduct, according to a Friday filing. The Judicial Qualifications Commission (JQC), which investigates misconduct accusations against judges, leveled a new charge, this one related to Hulsey’s re-election campaign. He won re-election in August against Jacksonville lawyer Gerald Wilkerson after a recount. “(Y)ou directed your Judicial Assistant to overnight personal packages […]

Jim RosicaDecember 5, 2016

The Florida Supreme Court on Monday “commanded” a Broward judge to come to Tallahassee Feb. 7 for a public reprimand. Circuit Judge John Patrick Contini also must write a letter of apology, undergo judicial mentoring, complete a mental health program, and pay administrative costs, according to a court order. He was brought up on judicial misconduct charges last year. […]

Associated PressNovember 23, 2016

A judge in Putnam County faces misconduct charges for posting inaccurate information about his campaign opponent. Circuit Judge Scott DuPont is facing five charges related to his campaign against Malcolm Anthony, a Ponte Vedra Beach attorney. The Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission notified the state Supreme Court of the charges on Wednesday. The commission’s investigative panel said […]

Jim RosicaNovember 10, 2016

The Florida Supreme Court has ordered that a Broward County circuit judge come before it for a public reprimand. In a unanimous order released Thursday, the court also directed Circuit Judge John Patrick Contini to write a letter of apology, undergo judicial mentoring, complete a mental health program, and pay administrative costs. He was brought up on judicial […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 3, 2016

On Thursday, the Judicial Qualifications Commission issued an amended notice of formal charges against Jacksonville Judge Mark Hulsey. Hulsey has been accused of a variety of horrible deeds and words, including language and actions that express major racial and gender bias. In spite of this, Hulsey won re-election in August, albeit after a recount. The amended […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 19, 2016

Despite the specter of an investigation by the Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission for alleged racist and sexist statements from the bench, along with alleged overworking of staff, Judge Mark Hulsey won his battle for re-election on Aug. 30. Even so, he has another battle ahead of him. Hulsey’s final evidentiary hearing commences on the morning of […]

Tag: Judicial Qualifications Commission

Orlando-area judge ordered suspended for campaign ad

Judicial ethics watchdog could suffer in fight for independent Florida courts

House panel takes on impeachment power, local government ethics reforms

Mark Hulsey apologizes after latest ethics accusation

Mark Hulsey faces another judicial misconduct complaint

Broward judge to be publicly reprimanded Feb. 7

Judge faces misconduct charges over campaign tactics

Broward judge who ‘personified incivility’ to receive reprimand

‘Probable cause’ for formal proceedings against foul-mouthed Jacksonville judge, redux

Mark Hulsey hearing with Judicial Qualifications Commission set for Feb. 6