On Tuesday, November 4, 2025, the Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission (JQC) filed a notice of voluntary dismissal of charges against Judge Anne Marie Gennusa, following her resignation from the Putnam County Court.
The notice, submitted by Assistant General Counsel Hugh R. Brown, cites Gennusa’s departure from judicial office on October 31, 2025, as the basis for the dismissal. The filing was made prior to a final hearing before the JQC Hearing Panel, and the dismissal is entered pursuant to Rule 1.420 of the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure.
Gennusa’s resignation came in the wake of accusations of improper behavior in the courtroom. The JQC had been investigating allegations of judicial misconduct since her appointment to the bench in 2023 and had previously found probable cause that Gennusa had improperly held numerous individuals in criminal contempt of court.
The allegations against Gennusa stemmed from multiple incidents. One such incident involved a misdemeanor battery case in January 2025. According to the JQC report, Gennusa allegedly provoked the defendant during the hearing before holding him in criminal contempt. The report also stated that she used sarcasm towards the alleged victim and intervened in the conversation between the victim and the prosecutor from the State Attorney’s Office Seventh Judicial Circuit.
R.J. Larizza, the State Attorney for the Seventh Judicial Circuit, which includes Putnam, St. Johns, Volusia, and Flagler counties, condemned Gennusa’s actions, describing the incident as “a disturbing example of abuse of Judicial power and authority.”
Further investigation by the JQC revealed an incident in November 2023 where Gennusa held a mother of three children in criminal contempt during a truancy hearing. The children had missed school because one of them had witnessed the murder of their grandfather by their father. The mother was subsequently sentenced to ten days in jail.
In another case in November 2023, a man appearing in court for driving on an invalid license was sentenced to 60 days in jail after uttering an obscenity towards a deputy.
The JQC concluded that Gennusa had conducted improper contempt proceedings, failed to adhere to due process, and lacked the patience, dignity, and courtesy expected of judges. They also stated that she failed to act in a manner that promotes public confidence in the judiciary’s integrity and impartiality. Gennusa acknowledged that her conduct was below standard and did not comply with the law regarding contempt powers.
In a letter addressed to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Gennusa stated her intention to return to private practice and establish law offices in Palatka and St. Augustine.
Following Gennusa’s resignation and the recent retirement announcement of Judge Libby Morris, who served on the bench for 25 years, the Judicial Nominating Committee (JNC) is expected to convene to make recommendations to Governor DeSantis to fill both judicial vacancies.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
