Many thanks, once again, to all the tipsters and contributors who support JAABLOG.

Your alerts on Brenda’s totalitarian Facebook nod last night set off a serious firestorm. After Oh, Brenda! was posted, Forman’s Facebook page lit up with angry commenters. Brenda haplessly tried to explain herself in a response or two, until deleting the entire post and comments sometime around 10:54 PM.

Luckily, lots of people managed screenshots as breaking news was unfolding before their eyes, resulting in this Sun Sentinel article by Tony Man early this morning: Broward Court Clerk Brenda Forman, running for reelection, posts quote erroneously attributed to Hitler on her Facebook page.

Man, for his part, got an earful from us a few minutes ago about uncredited story stealing, mostly because the Florida Bar is still waging war on JAABLOG based on the testimony of the now completely debunked Clerk of Courts. Man played dumb, but since the Bar, like the JQC and the Sun Sentinel, closely monitor this blog, we’re confident they’ll know that JAABLOG’s reporting has once again helped to thoroughly expose an unfit constitutional officer in Broward County.

In closing, one more thank you to all the tipsters and readers that make this blog happen.

From your lips or fingertips to the outside world!

REUTERS FACT CHECK – False claim: Hitler quote on controlling people and eroding freedoms

Rafael Olmeda has the scoop concerning Brenda’s disclosure form woes.

The Sun Sentinel link is here: Broward clerk of courts to admit fault in ethics probe over finances.

From the article:

“Forman, 62, and the Florida Commission on Ethics reached a proposed agreement in which she will pay a $5,000 fine for apparently blurring her financial assets and debts while omitting bank account information — Forman admitted the errors and said she overlooked some instructions and didn’t understand others. She denied deliberately misleading the commission.

The full commission meets on Friday and will either adopt or reject the agreement.“

Portions of Brenda’s financial disclosures filed as Clerk of Court through 2019 are pictured below, together with an addendum which was filed to each year’s form on April 2, 2020. There are serious fluctuations from year to year, and a student loan not previously disclosed was added via the 2020 addendum. Her most recent disclosure, filed in June 2020, was posted on JAABLOG on June 8th.

Full financial disclosures for all elected officials can be downloaded here.

Marni Bryson and Bill Scherer were set for deposition this week, but both have been cancelled:

Whether or not settlement negotiations are underway is anyone’s guess, since the cancellations could be due to nothing more than simple scheduling issues, or related to recent filings and rulings by Bill Roby that may require additional litigation or investigation before the principal players are finally put under oath.

In any event, all the documents are available on the 15th Circuit Clerk’s website, including the following affidavit executed by Peter Kemp, filed by Team Bryson in this Plaintiff’s Response to Non-Party Tripp Scott, P.A.’s Objection to Subpoena Duces Tecum …

Stay tuned …

ABA Journal – Law firm ordered to produce an email with judge’s nude photos (7/9)

WPLG 10 – Brenda Forman posts rambling Facebook video taking aim at political rivals

From Andy Siegel, head of felony, sent this morning:

“Attached are updated procedures for setting matters on in custody dockets, cop information and august schedules …

It is similar to what was previously posted but has been edited to reflect common questions raised by lawyers when setting hearings. It also answers most of the questions raised to our JA’s when setting hearings.

Please read as it provides for open pleas if the defendant is out of custody. The division judge must handle the agreed negotiated change of plea docket on the day of an open plea is set from her/his division.

It follows the Supreme AO’s and 17th AO’s requirements. It gives zoom info for each session … “

(emphasis added)

SS – Broward clerk of courts lashes out in Facebook video

The video is still available for viewing on Brenda’s Facebook page, and on the SS website too …

WARRANT BAKER/DUNBAR

PB Post – Lawyer bests Marni Bryson in appeal

COMING SOON – Is JAABLOG on a mission from G-d?

Brenda’s rambling Facebook Live broadcast from last night is the talk of the town this morning.

Wild, spurious claims abound about her opponents Paul Backman and Mark Speiser, as well as viciously untrue assertions about Arlene Backman, Rafael Olmeda, Adriana Alcalde, and yours truly.

No links here, as reposting may involve legal consequences. In any event, the video has been preserved, and is most likely being viewed across the state as we speak …

ONLY IN BROWARD!

From: Ruby Lenora (Ruby Green)
Date: July 15, 2020 at 9:59:49 AM EDT

Subject: (BACDL) Reopening the Courthouse

Please see the message from Chief Judge Tuter below:

After discussions with the major stakeholders, we determined the afternoon meeting regarding reopening is not necessary. The environment in Broward County is not conducive to reopening any of the courthouses for face to face hearings. As such we will continue on Zoom through the month of August and another meeting will be set mid-August to determine the outlook for September. Currently, there is no way we can comply with the Chief Justice’s workgroup recommendations for reopening.

Donna Solomon gets the job done for John Carter:

PANEL JUDGES: CARACUZZO, SUSKAUER, SCHER

From JULY 1, 2020 Fifteen Page Opinion:

“Petitioner John E. Carter, an attorney facing criminal contempt charges below, filed the instant Emergency Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus and/or Writ of Prohibition after being placed in custody by the trial court pending a mental health evaluation. Petitioner seeks (1) a writ of habeas corpus requiring his immediate release from custody, and (2) a writ of prohibition barring the Honorable Marni Bryson from presiding over the pending contempt proceedings below. Although Petitioner has long been released from custody, we grant his Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus and direct the lower tribunal to conduct a proper bond determination. For the reasons explained herein, we also grant the Petition for Writ of Prohibition and direct that all further proceedings in this matter take place before a different trial judge … “

Background – ABA Journal: Lawyer who told judge she is ‘disrespectful to the people’ is released from jail

COMING SOON – Bryson v. Scherer update …

From Andy Siegel:

We are adding another in-custody docket running every afternoon effective July 6, 2020. This “additional PM” docket will be running at the same time as the current PM docket. The “additional PM” docket is under the control of each division judge. Thus, effective July 6, 2020, there are three in-custody sessions. A schedule is attached assigning times to each division for each docket for the month of July 2020.

All in-custody dockets have a seperate zoom link. All hearings for the docket shall be scheduled with the division JA assigned to that division. When scheduling a hearing make sure to give an accurate estimate of time necessary. Please reach out to resolve the matter before scheduling. We are all trying to work together. I ask you to read the online general procedures set forth for in-custody dockets, they are applicable to the “additional PM” docket.

Once again, we have to work in time parameters. The AM docket runs from 8:30a.m.-12-00p.m.; the PM docket runs from 1:30:p.m.-5:00p.m. and the “additional PM” also runs from 1:30pm until 5:00pm. If a matter is not finished by 5:00pm it must be finished on a future date. Remember, BSO controls the order of appearance, please do not request to be called out of turn.

Lastly, If the matter involves an individual in BSO custody, on an out of county hold, it must be set through my JA, Sabrina. The matter will then be set administratively.. I will make arrangements to address it as soon as possible on my docket or another division’s in-custody docket. The methodology for addressing out of custody holds is controlled by Supreme Court AO. (Note: I will be available to address other criminal division administrative matters as before.)

This will continue until the courthouse reopens to the public for hearings and in-custody individuals can be brought to the courtrooms.

We’re told Tabitha Blackmon has been chosen by the governor to replace Mike Davis on the county court …