Opinion ID: 1100533
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Disciplinary Recommendation

Text: We approve the disciplinary recommendation of the JQC. In so doing, we must first clarify several important points. First, while [t]his Court may `accept, reject, or modify in whole or in part' the findings and conclusions of the JQC, In re Adams, 932 So.2d 1025 (Fla. May 18, 2006) (quoting art. V, § 12(c)(1), Fla. Const.), we cannot modify a stipulation between the JQC and a judge. We may only accept or reject it. Thus, while we are well aware of the seriousness of the allegations in count III, other than the obvious impropriety of the communications later admitted to by Judge Downey in his appearance before us, those allegations are otherwise denied. Therefore, though we consider Judge Downey's oral admissions to this Court in deciding whether to accept the stipulation, we do not have the power to modify the terms of the stipulation and impose a harsher sanction. Second, the stipulation was entered into in lieu of conducting a formal hearing on any of the charges. If we were to reject the stipulation, the adjudicatory process would continue and most likely remain unresolved by January 1, 2007. In addition, the outcome of the adjudicatory process would be uncertain. Moreover, if we were to reject the stipulation, Judge Downey would be free to qualify and run again for judicial office. Thus, the practical and definitive effect of accepting the stipulation and the JQC's recommendation is that it ensures that Judge Downey will no longer serve as a judge after January 1, 2007. Until that date certain, Judge Downey will preside over civil cases only and do so with the prospect of immediate removal as set forth in the stipulation. In light of this, we now consider the JQC's recommendation. Pursuant to the stipulation, the JQC based its disciplinary recommendation on Judge Downey's admission to the ethical violations charged in count I. We have found that a public reprimand is appropriate in cases involving violations of canons 1 and 2 where there is significant mitigation, the incidents of misconduct are isolated, and the alleged misconduct did not affect the judge's office. For instance, in Adams, 932 So.2d 1025, we found that a public reprimand was an appropriate sanction where a judge became involved in a romantic relationship with an attorney practicing before him in violation of canons 1, 2, and 3. As we explained, In reaching agreement with Judge Adams on the recommended sanction, the JQC Investigative Panel noted that Judge Adams accepted full responsibility for his misconduct during the relationship, which lasted for approximately two months, admitted that it should not have occurred, and regrets and apologizes for the misconduct. Further, the JQC recognized that Judge Adams has an otherwise unblemished record as a judge and is active in his community. Finally, from our review of the record, we conclude that there is no evidence that the relationship actually influenced his actions in any of the cases involving the attorney. If evidence had demonstrated that the relationship affected the disposition of any matter before the judge, we would not hesitate to impose stiffer discipline. 932 So.2d at 1027-28; see also In re Cope, 848 So.2d 301, 304 (Fla.2003) (finding that public reprimand was appropriate sanction given judge's sincere remorse and his exemplary performance as a judge where judge admitted to incident of public intoxication and inappropriate conduct of an intimate nature while attending an out-of-state judicial conference at taxpayers' expense); In re Esquiroz, 654 So.2d 558, 559 (Fla.1995) (finding that public reprimand was appropriate sanction where judge pled nolo contendere to DUI charge, admitted violating canons 1 and 2A, and expressed remorse and JQC determined incident was isolated). Similarly, the JQC has found significant mitigation in this case. It determined that Judge Downey's misconduct occurred at the end of an otherwise long and unblemished record of judicial service. His judicial service began in 1984 and was unmarred until 2002. Judge Downey admitted to and accepted responsibility for his actions as alleged in count I. He admitted to habitually viewing pornography from his computer. In addition, he has admitted to engaging in inappropriate conduct towards two female attorneys. He voluntarily sought psychological counseling. And he has shown sincere remorse. He is stipulating not only to a public reprimand but also to permanent retirement from the bench effective January 1, 2007. Finally, the JQC found no evidence that Judge Downey's misconduct affected his judicial office. Under the unique facts and circumstances of this case, the JQC's finding that Judge Downey's admitted misconduct did not interfere with his judicial decision making will not be disturbed by this Court. Although the allegations of sexual harassment contained in count III are extremely serious and very disturbing to this Court, we again note that this count as charged has been denied and remains unproven. Nonetheless, we also recognize that the JQC and Judge Downey have not totally ignored the allegations in count III. Rather, in light of count III, the JQC has recommended and Judge Downey has stipulated to a much harsher sanction than a public reprimand and apology. In lieu of a formal hearing on count III, Judge Downey has agreed to retire at the end of his current term of office and to be permanently barred from serving as a judge in Florida. According to Judge Downey, this inability to serve beyond January 1, 2007, will result in the loss of significant income otherwise available to him. Considering the foregoing, we approve the stipulation and accept the JQC's disciplinary recommendation as appropriate under the circumstances of this case. We reiterate that, pursuant to the terms of the stipulation, if Judge Downey engages in further misconduct, he must immediately resign. Moreover, we also note that the retired status of a judge does not deprive the JQC of its jurisdiction so long as a complaint is filed within one year after retirement. Art. V, § 12(a)(1), Fla. Const. Likewise, retirement does not deprive this Court of jurisdiction. In re Frank, 753 So.2d 1228, 1230 n. 1 (Fla.2000) (citing In re Hapner, 718 So.2d 785, 787-88 (Fla.1998)) (relying on article V, section 12 of the Florida Constitution to exercise jurisdiction over a case where the judge had already resigned from the bench). Accordingly, we approve the stipulation, and, in accordance with the policy announced in Frank, 753 So.2d at 1242, we hereby command Judge Brandt C. Downey, III to appear before this Court for the administration of a public reprimand on Friday, September 22, 2006, at 8:30 a.m., as directed by this Court in our corrected June 30, 2006, order. It is so ordered. LEWIS, C.J., and WELLS, ANSTEAD, PARIENTE, QUINCE, CANTERO, and BELL, JJ., concur.