FARMER RESPONSE

42 Comments
Accused of being AWOL for approximately 45 out of 102 total days “not present at work” …

RESPONSE TO ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE:

… There had been some minimal conversation and Respondent was aware of the scheduled meeting or hearing. In his mind, however, the March hearing was the same as or similar to the earlier December hearing at which he voluntarily appeared with counsel. What Respondent failed to realize or appreciate was the March hearing required his appearance in person in accordance with the Rule To Show Cause issued pursuant to FJQC Rule 8. On the night of March 27, 2025, Respondent began driving north on I-95 with the intention of driving to Jacksonville. As he drove north he received a series of messages and telephone calls advising him of an ongoing family matter in Broward County at which his presence was being requested. Respondent weighed his options and elected to address the family crisis. Unfortunately, since he had planned on appearing in person at the JQC hearing he had not submitted a written explanation or any written materials. Instead, early on the morning of March 28, 2025, Respondent sent an email/letter to Alexander Williams, General Counsel for the JQC. Mr. Williams has incorporated by reference that email/letter as Exhibit B in the Recommendation of Suspension. In the email/letter Respondent explained that despite his best intentions he wouldn’t be appearing in person due to a family matter that required his attention …

RESPONDENT’S ANSWER TO NOTICES OF INVESTIGATION:

In response to JQC Notice Of Formal Charges:

BUSTED!

81 Comments
Circuit Judge Brett M. Waronicki

*UPDATE* – TC PALM / WARRANT EXECUTED:

MARTIN COUNTY − “Following complaints weeks ago that Circuit Judge Brett Waronicki was involved in drug activity at a bar in Jensen Beach, Martin County sheriff’s officials began investigating … Hours after the traffic stop — shortly before 3 a.m. April 24 — sheriff’s investigators executed a search warrant at Waronicki’s home where they reported finding items including a metal tray with cocaine residue and plastic baggies with cocaine residue, records state … Asked why Waronicki was not charged with drug possession, Budensiek said: “Technically, you can charge someone with drug possession if you have residue, but that has not held water here in Florida, and so we don’t make those charges and we treated the judge like we treat anyone else.”

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Assignment: St. Lucie
All Civil Jury Trial Cases; All substance abuse and mental health court cases (i.e. Baker and Marchman Act); All Risk Protection Order Cases

CBS 12: Treasure Coast judge accused of DUI; passengers booked for cocaine

“The Martin County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the arrest of Brett Waronicki following a traffic stop. He was booked into jail for DUI after allegedly refusing to take a blood-alcohol test. He also faces a count of possession of drug paraphernalia.

Meanwhile, the other two people in the vehicle with him are accused of possessing cocaine.“

COMING SOON – Is the JQC opening up on another Broward judge in the near future?

DUTKO FOR FARMER

157 Comments

*UPDATE* 4/18/25:

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Anyone thinking Gary Farmer would go quietly into the night in his battle with the JQC has been proven wrong.

Mike Dutko entered an appearance on behalf of Farmer, and filed this Motion For Extension of Time late today, asking for an additional fifteen days from the previously imposed deadline of April 21st to show cause as to why the Supreme Court shouldn’t grant the JQC’s request to suspend Farmer without pay.

While one might disagree with Mike’s assertion that “(telling jokes in Court) … are the primary basis of” the JQC inquiries, Farmer has definitely made a good decision in picking Dutko, known for skillfully pulling countless rabbits out of his hat over his many decades in practice.

From today’s filing:

(click to enlarge)

Can Dutko save Farmer? Or are the odds stacked against him, with even the Sun Sentinel Editorial Board recently opining The party’s over for Broward Judge Gary Farmer:

Quotes from the Editorial Board:

“The disciplinary charges that the Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission (JQC) has filed with the Supreme Court are serious enough to justify the court removing Farmer, if they are held up at trial“

“Farmer told the JQC he’d learned his lesson, but the JQC doesn’t seem to believe him. It noted that he failed to appear for a second preliminary hearing and sent word only that morning that he had some sort of “emergency situation.”

“The JQC also raises issues of legal procedure, absenteeism and quarrelling with an assistant public defender over her politics. But Farmer’s poor demeanor, including scatological jokes, forms the crux of this case“

“Broward has a long history of a highly political legal culture, and with it, an excessive tolerance for mediocrity on the bench.”

(emphasis added)

At the very least, it’s good to know Farmer isn’t giving up without a fight. And with outgoing Chief Judge Jack Tuter’s honorific plaque firmly on the wall of the courtroom named after him for superlative performance, Browardians will now, pending upcoming Supreme Court rulings, potentially have an unprecedented three very public, highly embarrassing JQC trials to enjoy in the coming months starring Farmer, Mardi Levey-Cohen, and Stefanie Moon …

GET THE POPCORN READY!