Title: In re Judge Scott Cupp

State: florida

Issuer: Florida Supreme Court

Document:

Supreme Court of Florida 
 
 
____________ 
 
No. SC21-391 
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INQUIRY CONCERNING A JUDGE  
NO. 20-366 RE: SCOTT CUPP. 
 
May 13, 2021 
 
PER CURIAM. 
Before the Court is the stipulation of the Judicial 
Qualifications Commission and Twentieth Judicial Circuit Court 
Judge Scott Cupp.  The Commission and Judge Cupp agree to the 
discipline of a public reprimand. 
According to the stipulation, Judge Cupp admits that the 
conduct described in the Notice of Formal Charges occurred.  Judge 
Cupp admits that in the lead up to the 2020 election for Hendry 
County Court Judge, he began contacting individuals he knew in 
Hendry County to inform them that he was supporting the 
incumbent judge’s opponent, because of concerns he had heard 
about the incumbent.  Judge Cupp’s preference for the incumbent’s 
 
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opponent eventually became widely known in the community.  
Judge Cupp admits that his conduct in making unsolicited contact 
with many influential members of the Hendry County community, 
during which he expressed his preference for a certain candidate in 
a judicial race, and in some instances requested that the 
community member support his favored candidate, was not only 
inappropriate, but violated Canons of Judicial Conduct 1, 2B, and 
7A(1)(b) and damaged the integrity of the judiciary, by creating the 
appearance that he was interceding in a judicial election.  Judge 
Cupp also admits that he violated canon 7 and chapter 106, Florida 
Statutes, during his 2020 reelection campaign by failing to officially 
designate a campaign account and treasurer with the Division of 
Elections prior to receiving any contributions or issuing any funds, 
and that his conduct damaged the public’s perception of the 
judiciary. 
Upon being presented with the Notice of Investigation, Judge 
Cupp took immediate responsibility for his conduct, in both his 
written response, and during his sworn testimony before the 
Commission.  He admits that his conduct was inappropriate and 
violated canons 1, 2, and 7.  He regrets that his conduct damaged 
 
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the integrity of the judiciary and the public’s perception of the 
judiciary.  Judge Cupp has had no prior discipline imposed by the 
Commission, and, having been licensed to practice law for over 
thirty-four years, also has no prior disciplinary history with The 
Florida Bar.  The Commission also noted that Judge Cupp has a 
renewed commitment and understanding of what it takes to protect 
the public’s perception of the integrity, impartiality, and 
independence of the judiciary, and is persuaded that Judge Cupp 
will never again engage in such conduct. 
The stipulation is hereby approved.  Judge Scott Cupp is 
ordered to appear before this Court for the administration of a 
public reprimand at a time to be set by the Clerk of this Court. 
It is so ordered. 
CANADY, C.J., and POLSTON, LABARGA, LAWSON, MUÑIZ, 
COURIEL, and GROSSHANS, JJ., concur. 
 
NOT FINAL UNTIL TIME EXPIRES TO FILE REHEARING MOTION 
AND, IF FILED, DETERMINED. 
 
Original Proceeding – Judicial Qualifications Commission 
 
Honorable Michelle Morley, Chair, and Alexander J. Williams, 
General Counsel, Judicial Qualifications Commission, Tallahassee, 
Florida, 
 
for Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission, Petitioner 
 
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George N. Meros, Jr. and Amber Stoner Nunnally of Shutts & 
Bowen, LLP, Tallahassee, Florida, 
 
 
for Judge Scott Cupp, Respondent