*UPDATE* 8:45 PM THURSDAY – Howard Finkelstein spoke to us from his home.  He confirmed what he told the Sun Sentinel earlier today about 2018.  When asked about a run for Congress in 2020, he stated: “You never can say never because in a million years I never thought I would become the elected public defender, or have my own TV segment.”

COMING SOON – 2020 …

*UPDATE* – SS: Finkelstein not running for Congress … in 2018 

“Howard Finkelstein said Thursday he’s not sure what he’ll be doing when he retires as Broward County public defender when his current term expires (2020) — but it won’t involve running for Congress in 2018 … “

HOWARD FINKELSTEIN v. DEBBIE WASSERMAN SCHULTZ?

Mr. Finkelstein goes to Washington?

Developing …

BACDL has joined Howard Finkelstein’s call to remove Mardi Levey Cohen from the criminal bench.

NBC 6 originally broke the story back on May 1st, in a report titled Public Defender Wants ‘Bully’ Broward Judge Removed.

On June 16th, BACDL President Huda Ajlani-Macri authored this strongly worded letter to Jack Tuter, urging the incoming chief judge to reassign Levey Cohen, and to review audio tapes, transcripts, and witness affidavits of her alleged disrespectful judicial behavior. Meanwhile, sources have defended Levey Cohen since the NBC story originally aired, claiming the courtroom tapes have been improperly cherry-picked and taken out of context.

In any event, it may all be a moot point.  Whatever the impetus, Levey-Cohen has been rumored to be leaving in July for a civil division since the NBC story came out.

Definitely a wait and see …

COMING SOON – THO Tribulations …

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Broward circuit judges Carlos Rodriguez and Marina Garcia-Wood got to hang with some major political heavyweights today.  If you look carefully, you’ll see them on either side of Rick Scott’s head.

Breitbart has the picture, headlined Trump Drops Truth Bombs on Cuba Regime, Policies.

Have a nice weekend!

Jim Lewis reports he’s sending his paperwork to Tallahassee today to run for Public Defender in 2020 as a Democrat …

HERALD: As ‘Help Me Howard’ Finkelstein prepares to retire, his chief assistant plans to run

MY GREAT FEAR IS, IF BROWARD ACTS HOW BROWARD HAS ACTED HISTORICALLY, THEY’LL PUT SOME POLITICAL LIZARD IN THIS POSITION AND IN THE END IT’LL ALL BE HAPPY [EXPLETIVE] AND POOR PEOPLE WILL GET SCREWED.
Howard Finkelstein

 Gordon Weekes files for PD …

We’re hearing Tom Coleman has been appointed to replace Marc Gold on the circuit court …

Jack Tuter is reportedly continuing his reorganization of the civil division.   In addition to Barbara McCarthy being bounced for Raag Singhal, we’re told Mike Robinson announced he’s being moved to civil, in replacement of Bill Haury, although some witnesses say he said Fred Horowitz.  Horowitz’s office, however, said they are staying put.

Still unconfirmed  …

*UPDATE* -Robinson said “Haury” …