Latest news with #GaryFarmer
Yahoo
01-08-2025
- Yahoo
Bollards to be installed and CCTV ramped up in fly tipping hotspot
BOLLARDS blocking larger vehicles from entering a car park in Lye that has become a fly tipping hot spot are set to be installed in a bid to tackle the problem. The car park off Clinic Drive has been plagued by fly tippers, with residents reaching the end of their tethers in recent weeks. Last month, a foul-smelling mound had been left accumulating on the car park for five weeks, with hundreds of black bags, industrial waste, mattresses, carpets and more being left in a heap. Just 48 hours after Dudley Council removed the heap, more rubbish appeared, including air conditioning equipment and floor tiles. Gary Farmer, a Lye local who has been going out of his way to clean up the streets of Lye over the years, said the situation was 'beyond a joke now'. Read more Clinic Drive, Lye hit by fly tippers again days after mound removed Clinic Drive, Lye: Mound of rubbish fly tipped in car park The severity of fly tipping in the town had also been condemned by MP Cat Eccles, who said she will work with the council to 'clean up our streets in Lye'. Today (August 1), Dudley Council announced two new measures to help put a stop to fly tipping in the area and catch those responsible. As well as bollards, CCTV surveillance will also be increased around the car park beyond current provisions by repositioning the cameras, the council said. Councillor Damian Corfield, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said: 'We take flytipping extremely seriously – it is a blight on our borough and costs the taxpayer hundreds of thousands of pounds each year to clean up. 'The car park on Clinic Drive has become a hotspot, and as a result we have changed the positioning of a couple of our fixed CCTV cameras so they point directly onto the site. 'There was also a gap in the wooden railings which could be being used to access the site directly from the bypass, so we will be putting in bollards to prevent that. 'Our message is very clear – we intend to catch the people flytipping on this site and make sure they are punished through the courts. 'I would like to place on record my thanks to the volunteers who work tirelessly in this area to clean up flytipping – their continued efforts are very much appreciated by the council.'
CBS News
15-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Broward Judge Gary Farmer suspended, accused of repeatedly making inappropriate comments in court
The Florida Supreme Court on Wednesday indefinitely suspended Broward County Circuit Judge Gary Farmer, a former Senate Democratic leader, after an investigative panel accused him of "pervasive and extensive" behavior demonstrating "unfitness to hold office." Farmer was elected as a judge in Broward County's 17th Judicial Circuit in 2022 after six years in the Florida Senate. He served as minority leader during the 2021 legislative session but was ousted after a vote of no confidence by fellow Democrats. Arguing he has "learned his lesson," Farmer's lawyers urged the Supreme Court to reject an April 10 recommendation by an investigative panel of the state Judicial Qualifications Commission calling for his immediate suspension. Wednesday's court order said that Farmer's suspension without pay will go into effect on Tuesday. Farmer, 62, will remain suspended until the allegations against him are resolved. "The court encourages the commission to conduct any remaining proceedings promptly, in a manner consistent with the commission's rules and the procedural rights of the respondent (Farmer)," the order said. Panel found multiple incidents of misconduct A notice of formal charges filed by the investigative panel accused Farmer of repeatedly making inappropriate comments in court. The commission makes recommendations about judicial conduct to the Supreme Court, which has ultimate disciplinary authority over judges. The suspension recommendation also alleged Farmer "willfully ignored the requirements of applicable statutes or rules of procedure, or was unaware of the most basic elements of the law which governed his actions as a judge in the felony division." The panel "believes that his misconduct is egregious and serious, and could clearly affect the public's perception of the judiciary," Alexander John Williams, an attorney for the commission, wrote. "While Judge Farmer might argue that he has changed his behavior ... the panel believes that in this case, the damage is already done," the recommendation said. Farmer's lawyer admits some comments were inappropriate The probe into Farmer began after a complaint about comments he made while presiding over felony cases in August. The panel found comments "discriminatory, offensive, sexually charged, and demeaning." As an example, Farmer "referenced and quoted extensively from a comedy sketch that makes fun of gay people," documents filed by the commission said. "That is not the only time you used double entendre as humor in the courtroom. While presiding over the August 15, 2024, hearing you said, 'Spring is here, I got so excited I wet my plants' and 'What did the shirt say to the pair of pants? Wassup britches!' Apparently, these are some of what you referred to as your 'exceptionally, exceptionally bad jokes,'" the commission's lawyer wrote in the notice of formal charges addressed to Farmer and filed at the Supreme Court. Farmer's lawyers, however, argued that the judge's jokes were intended to "lighten tension, reduce stress for criminal defendants, and show a sense of humanity." They likened his comments to "'Dad jokes' that are corny but not offensive, and were not degrading to the solemnity" of court proceedings. Some of the jokes referenced in the allegations "were somewhat racy and, upon reflection, were inappropriate," Farmer's lawyers acknowledged. However, Farmer "took full responsibility and apologized for those remarks" during a hearing before the investigative panel "and he does so again today," his lawyers said in a court document filed last week. Farmer "has taken these lessons to heart and has refrained from making such jokes" since the complaint was filed with the circuit's chief judge, the document said. Farmer did not cooperate with investigation The probe into Farmer began in October, and Farmer appeared before the panel for a hearing in December. The panel notified Farmer on March 6 about a second investigation and ordered him to appear for a hearing on March 28. Farmer "provided no response whatsoever, written or otherwise, to the second notice of investigation, save his email on the morning of the hearings claiming that he had intended to appear," the suspension recommendation said. Farmer's decision "to not appear as ordered in the Order to Show Cause (hearing) simply brings his lack of responsiveness into high relief," the recommendation said. The investigative panel said four factors must be considered when recommending that a judge be suspended. "Under the right conditions, a single one of these factors might carry enough weight to warrant a recommendation of suspension: Here, the respondent (Farmer) touches on all of them," Williams wrote. Farmer spent three decades as a trial lawyer and reported his financial worth as $4.37 million as of Dec. 31, 2021, according to state records. The judge "expressed regret, lapse in judgment, as well as shame and embarrassment" for his conduct, his lawyers wrote in a response to the charges. In addition, Farmer "has shown the type of judicial temperament, demeanor and professionalism" after a transfer to the foreclosure division from the criminal division following last year's complaint, his lawyers added. Farmer's attorneys also argued that some of the remarks or comments included in the charges against him were "taken out of context" or "involve facts, circumstances and/or history that is not accurately or completely reflected" in the allegations.
New York Post
15-05-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Florida judge suspended from bench after reportedly telling ‘G-rated dad jokes' in court
A Broward County, Florida, circuit court judge will be suspended effective next week after an advisory panel to the state Supreme Court determined he was unfit to serve after telling 'exceptionally bad jokes,' was biased and had poor attendance. Court filings show the Investigative Panel of the Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission (FJQC) is suspending Broward Circuit Court Judge Gary Farmer, a former Florida state senator and Democrat, from office without pay, pending a disposition hearing. Advertisement The suspension becomes effective 11:59 p.m. Monday. The decision comes about a month after the FJQC recommended Farmer's suspension. The commission's panel called for an investigation in October 2024 into comments made by Farmer. After a probable cause hearing in December 2024, the panel determined there was probable cause to continue with the investigation. The investigation discovered several instances in which Farmer made what some would consider inappropriate remarks. Advertisement 'Through his extensive misconduct, occurring over a lengthy period of time, Judge Farmer has damaged the public's perception of the judiciary and the judicial branch in such a way that he has demonstrated a present unfitness to serve,' investigators said. 4 Broward County Circuit Court Judge Gary Farmer poses for a portrait with the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit. Seventeenth Judicial Circuit of Florida According to the allegations, Farmer was presiding over a felony case Aug. 15, 2024, and was informed the defendant was expecting the birth of three children. Court documents say Farmer laughingly mocked the man who was expecting three children with different women. Advertisement 'OK, you've been busy. You were just shooting all over the place!' Farmer told the man. 'That's good. Do you know their names? First and last? Romantic, are you? Don't tell Susie about Jane. Don't tell Jane about Mary. God bless you, man. One's enough.' 4 Judge Farmer poses for a photo with others while holding a Florida LGBTQ Democratic Caucus sign. State Senator Gary Farmer / Facebook Farmer later allegedly told the defendant he was going to put him on pretrial release. 'I'm going to order that you wear a condom at all times,' Farmer told the defendant. 'For your own good, OK? Probation is going to check. No, I'm kidding. I'm kidding.' Advertisement Later during the proceeding, Farmer recommended the defendant get a particular female attorney, though he warned him not to get her pregnant. While presiding over the case of State v. Georgia Smith, Farmer is accused of singing a song about 'Sweet Georgia,' and telling the defendant, 'You're supposed to say 'peachy.' How you doin' Georgia? Peachy!' 4 Farmer speaks at the Pride Center at Equality Park in Wilton Manors, Florida. State Senator Gary Farmer / Facebook He also told Smith to sing 'She gets her peaches down in Georgia' and 'You get your weed in California.' Farmer then apologized to one of the attorneys, telling him making him laugh was a challenge. Farmer was presiding over another felony case when he allegedly referenced and quoted 'extensively' from an 'In Living Color' comedy sketch making fun of gay people. The panel also brought up another instance from Aug. 15, 2024, when Farmer said, 'Spring is here. I got so excited I wet my plants' and 'What did the shirt say to the pair of pants? Wassup britches!' 'Apparently, these are some of what you referred to as your 'exceptionally, exceptionally bad jokes,'' the court filing said. Advertisement Along with telling 'exceptionally bad' jokes, Farmer was accused of devoting his full time and attendance to his judicial duties after exceeding the 30 days of judicial leave he is allowed to take. He was also accused of failing to respect and comply with the law by denying due process to litigants and lawyers and demonstrating a bias or predetermination for certain cases. Farmer did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment on the matter. Still, Farmer's attorney filed a response with the court after a suspension was recommended, saying Farmer 'generally admits to having made the jokes or remarks.' Advertisement 'These jokes were said to lighten tension, reduce stress for criminal defendants, and show a sense of humanity,' the attorney wrote. 'They generally are G-rated dad jokes that are corny but not offensive and were not degrading to the solemnity of the proceedings.' 4 The Broward County Judicial Complex in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Google Maps The attorney added that some of the jokes were 'racy.' After reflecting on the matter, Farmer found they were 'inappropriate.' Farmer apologized for the 'racy' jokes during a probable cause hearing, the attorney added, noting he was again apologizing for the jokes. Advertisement As for the 'In Living Color' jokes, Farmer claimed he forgot his microphone was still on, though he recognized the remarks were inappropriate and apologized. The Florida Supreme Court's commission suspended Farmer without pay.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Broward Judge Gary Farmer suspended without pay over off-color statements
A Broward judge with a penchant for off-color humor and tough-talking discipline will be suspended without pay until further notice as the Florida Supreme Court decides whether to permanently remove him from the bench. The suspension of Broward Circuit Judge Gary Farmer takes effect at 11:59 p.m. Monday, by order of the Florida Supreme Court. The action came just a few days after Farmer, through attorney Michael Dutko, argued that he should not be suspended without pay because the allegations of misconduct against him did not include any allegation that Broward residents were 'victimized by any illegal, dishonest, or immoral conduct.' What he did do, by his own admission, was make statements from the bench that called into question how seriously he was taking his job as an overseer in the administration of justice. In one afternoon last summer, he was recorded telling one defendant to wear a condom while on probation, nearly using profanity while having another defendant removed from his courtroom, and repeating flamboyant gay stereotypes from the 1990s sketch comedy show 'In Living Color.' At the time, Farmer presided over third-degree felony cases, many of which resulted in little to no prison time for first-time offenders, depending on the severity of the case. According to Dutko, Farmer was trying to provide some degree of relief for those who found themselves appearing before him. Earlier this year, the Judicial Qualifications Commission, which is the state's watchdog for judicial misconduct, filed formal charges accusing Farmer of violating the rules governing judges' behavior on and off the bench. Farmer was elected to the bench in 2022 after serving in the Florida Legislature, where he rose to the position of minority leader until his fellow Democrats ousted him from the role in 2021. His suspension is the third ordered against a Broward judge this month. Last week, Circuit Judge Mardi Levey Cohen was ordered to serve a 10-day suspension for spreading unverified information about her opponent in the 2024 election, while Circuit Judge Stephanie Moon was suspended for 10 days after she admitted questioning a lawyer about her campaign from the bench. In the cases against Levey Cohen and Moon, the suspensions appear to signal the end of the disciplinary action they face. But the Florida Supreme Court made it clear that the case against Farmer was just getting started, and he will not be able to serve as a judge or as an attorney until it's resolved. Also last week, the JQC filed formal ethics charges against County Judge Lauren Peffer, who was accused of spreading false information during her campaign without vetting it for accuracy. Rafael Olmeda can be reached at rolmeda@ or 954-356-4457. Follow him on
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Broward Judge Gary Farmer suspended without pay over off-color statements
A Broward judge with a penchant for off-color humor and tough-talking discipline will be suspended without pay until further notice as the Florida Supreme Court decides whether to permanently remove him from the bench. The suspension of Broward Circuit Judge Gary Farmer takes effect at 11:59 p.m. Monday, by order of the Florida Supreme Court. The action came just a few days after Farmer, through attorney Michael Dutko, argued that he should not be suspended without pay because the allegations of misconduct against him did not include any allegation that Broward residents were 'victimized by any illegal, dishonest, or immoral conduct.' What he did do, by his own admission, was make statements from the bench that called into question how seriously he was taking his job as an overseer in the administration of justice. In one afternoon last summer, he was recorded telling one defendant to wear a condom while on probation, nearly using profanity while having another defendant removed from his courtroom, and repeating flamboyant gay stereotypes from the 1990s sketch comedy show 'In Living Color.' At the time, Farmer presided over third-degree felony cases, many of which resulted in little to no prison time for first-time offenders, depending on the severity of the case. According to Dutko, Farmer was trying to provide some degree of relief for those who found themselves appearing before him. Earlier this year, the Judicial Qualifications Commission, which is the state's watchdog for judicial misconduct, filed formal charges accusing Farmer of violating the rules governing judges' behavior on and off the bench. Farmer was elected to the bench in 2022 after serving in the Florida Legislature, where he rose to the position of minority leader until his fellow Democrats ousted him from the role in 2021. His suspension is the third ordered against a Broward judge this month. Last week, Circuit Judge Mardi Levey Cohen was ordered to serve a 10-day suspension for spreading unverified information about her opponent in the 2024 election, while Circuit Judge Stephanie Moon was suspended for 10 days after she admitted questioning a lawyer about her campaign from the bench. In the cases against Levey Cohen and Moon, the suspensions appear to signal the end of the disciplinary action they face. But the Florida Supreme Court made it clear that the case against Farmer was just getting started, and he will not be able to serve as a judge or as an attorney until it's resolved. Also last week, the JQC filed formal ethics charges against County Judge Lauren Peffer, who was accused of spreading false information during her campaign without vetting it for accuracy. Rafael Olmeda can be reached at rolmeda@ or 954-356-4457. Follow him on
