Florida’s Judicial Problem Child: The Real Judges of Broward County
The Persistent Judicial Misconduct and Corruption in Broward County’s Court System, The State of Florida’s Own Law & Order Dramedy
By Senior Staff Writer, Edmond Thorne: 09/04/2025 13:21 EST
Fla. News Network —Broward County's judiciary has garnered a reputation as one of the most problematic in Florida's judicial system. Since 2001, approximately 17% of formal disciplinary cases against sitting judges in Florida originated from this county alone, despite its representing only a fraction of the state's judicial population.
This disproportionate number signals what many see as a "systematic problem" within Broward's courtrooms, where multiple judges have faced investigations, reprimands, suspensions, or criminal charges at the same time, an unusual occurrence elsewhere in the state.
Corruption and Ethical Violations:
Several Broward judges have been formally reprimanded and suspended for conflicts of interest and campaign-related misconduct. Judge Claudia Robinson is a notable example; she was suspended for 30 days without pay for directing cases toward attorneys who supported her campaign and eventually resigned to avoid further discipline.
Another example is Judge Stefanie Moon, suspended and fined after being found guilty of inappropriate political contributions, including donations to political committees backing high-profile Democratic candidates. Moon was also accused of improperly contacting the therapist of a litigant during her re-election campaign, blurring ethical boundaries deeply ingrained in judicial conduct codes.
Moreover, Judge Mardi Levey Cohen was suspended for 10 days and publicly reprimanded for spreading unverified, damaging information during her 2022 election campaign. Her actions included forwarding false accusations about an opponent and filing misleading IRS complaints with falsified mailing details to intimidate her opponent's supporters.
Behavioral Issues and Professional Misconduct:
Beyond corruption, behavioral and professional misconduct have marred Broward's judiciary. Judge Gary Farmer's case is perhaps the most egregious; he was indefinitely suspended without pay after multiple complaints about his courtroom conduct surfaced. Farmer repeatedly told lewd, sexually explicit jokes from the bench and demonstrated bias, which led the Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission (JQC) to declare him unfit for service. His inappropriate behavior, including referencing homoerotic comedy sketches and disparaging comments, severely damaged public trust in the judicial process.
Furthermore, Judge Woody Clermont faces a public reprimand for intervening in a domestic violence case to help a friend, an act viewed as a glaring conflict of interest and improper use of his judicial status to influence a legal proceeding.
Noteworthy Scandals and Odd Incidents:
Broward County judges have not shied away from headlines involving odd and scandalous behavior. In 2014, Judge Lynn Rosenthal made headlines after sideswiping a police car and crashing her vehicle into a courthouse gate, a spectacle that raised questions about judicial conduct off the bench. While isolated, this incident adds to the pattern of behavior inconsistencies troubling Broward's judiciary.
Even more dramatically, Judge Lauren Peffer faced ethics charges related to spreading fabricated evidence, including sharing an AI-manipulated recording during a campaign, aimed at discrediting other judicial members. Such efforts undermine faith in the fairness and impartiality of the court system. Broward judges have also been caught on the wrong side of criminal charges, including DUIs and other misconduct, painting a deeply troubling picture of the local judiciary's adherence to the law they are meant to uphold.
Is Broward the Only Troubled Bench in Florida:
While Broward's problems are highly visible and well-documented, other Florida judicial circuits have had their share of misconduct cases too. However, Broward's share of disciplinary actions, roughly one-sixth of all Florida cases from a single county, is unusually high. This suggests the Broward bench struggles more publicly with judicial misconduct than others in the state.
Elected vs. Appointed Judges: Which Are More Problematic:
The debate over whether elected or appointed judges are more prone to misconduct persists. Appointed judges often benefit from rigorous vetting and can be insulated from direct political pressure, yet may sometimes allow political affiliations to influence rulings without the check of election accountability. On the other hand, elected judges face direct accountability to voters, which forces them into political campaigns with risks of ethically dubious fundraising and campaign misconduct, as seen across Broward's judiciary. Thus, both systems have vulnerability spots, but Broward's elected judges seem especially susceptible to campaign-related ethical breaches.
Summary: Broward County Judicial Troubles:
- Repeated cases of campaign ethics violations, including improper political donations and misinformation spread.
- Several judges suspended or reprimanded for biased courtroom remarks and unprofessional conduct.
- Instances of criminal charges and on- and off-bench behavior damaging public trust.
- Use of fake evidence and misinformation tactics in election campaigns.
- Broward disproportionately represents a significant portion of Florida's judicial discipline cases.
- Complex dynamics between judicial elections and accountability contribute to recurring issues.
Looking Ahead: Can Broward Courts Reform:
The pattern of misconduct and ethical lapses in Broward County judges is troubling but not beyond remedy. Recognizing the role of campaign pressures on judicial behavior is vital for reforms aimed at safeguarding integrity.
Enhanced oversight by bodies like the Judicial Qualifications Commission, combined with public awareness and stricter campaign conduct regulations, may help restore trust. Broward's judicial bench is a high-stakes platform where public confidence needs constant protection.
Forward Together:
Broward's judiciary isn't a sitcom; these are serious missteps that fracture public trust. Yet there's no simple fix.
The county faces a balancing act: enforce strong ethical standards, ensure accountability, but also support judges in coping with political and professional stress.
Media, lawyers, community leaders, they're all looking closely at Broward. Will the next headlines be about reform, redemption, or more turmoil?
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