In a series of disciplinary actions that seem to shine a light on judicial conduct within Broward County, Florida, the state's Supreme Court has cast a beam of accountability, ordering suspensions for three circuit judges. As outlined by CBS Miami, the judges face reprimands for a variety of infractions ranging from inappropriate comments to illicit political contributions.
Judge Stefanie Moon agreed to a 10-day suspension without pay after the Supreme Court rejected a recommendation by the Judicial Qualifications Commission for a public reprimand and a fine. Accusations against Moon included making political donations to campaigns like those of Kamala Harris, Joe Biden, and Democratic fundraising platform ActBlue, behaviors that stand in violation of judicial canons. Further allegations recounted by NBC Miami claim Moon inappropriately reached out to an attorney for campaign assistance from the bench and engaged in unsanctioned communications with a potential witness.
Meanwhile, Judge Mardi Levey Cohen also faces a 10-day suspension, in her case for making baseless fraud accusations against a 2022 election opponent and for reporting a church to the IRS where her opponent campaigned. These actions were deemed by the court as a breach of proper judicial conduct, meriting public reprimand as well.
In the third case, former state senator and now Circuit Judge Gary Farmer Jr. faces proposed disciplinary measures for what he termed as "bad jokes." His comments, which included advice to a defendant on condom usage and avoiding pregnancy with his attorney, were found by the JQC to be "inappropriate, undignified, or degrading." With the suspension yet to be confirmed, Farmer has articulated his understanding of the severity of the charges, but has suggested that a suspension while he contests them was uncalled for. Requests for comments from the judges in question by NBC Miami have gone unanswered, and while it's atypical to have three judges from the same circuit under such scrutiny, Broward County has more than 90 judges on the bench.
