Florida Judicial Scandal Deepens
July 10, 2012
The Southeastern Legal Foundation has filed a complaint in the Second Judicial Circuit in Leon County, FL aimed at keeping three Florida Supreme Court justices who used public employees for campaign work off the November ballot. According to the Foundation, the three justices:
“[Failed] to follow the intent and letter of Florida election law in preparing and filing the necessary certifications and sworn qualifying oaths in violation of state law and the Code of Judicial Conduct, including the use of state employees to prepare and submit the documents in violation of state law.”
A Northwest Florida Daily News editorial said the Foundation’s action is fueled by “raw politics,” but agreed “it’s nevertheless clear the justices in question screwed up” and “bent state law in April during a last-minute rush to get their names on the ballot.” The Florida Supreme Court actually called a halt to a hearing to give the three justices time to file campaign paperwork, using state employees in the process.
Florida Governor Rick Scott is calling for an investigation into the conduct of the three justices.
