On Wednesday, May 14, 2025, the Sun Sentinel reported that Broward County’s newly appointed Chief Administrative Judge, Carol-Lisa Phillips, is facing significant challenges in addressing judicial misconduct among her colleagues just weeks into her tenure. Appointed on May 1, Phillips is dealing with disciplinary actions against four judges in the Broward County circuit, marking an early test of her leadership in a judiciary with a history of attracting negative attention.

The Broward County circuit, the second-largest in Florida behind Miami-Dade County, has seen its share of judicial controversies over the years. Past incidents include a judge visibly emotional during a high-profile ruling, another found in a compromising situation at a judicial conference, and multiple judges facing charges for driving under the influence. However, the current wave of misconduct cases has unfolded rapidly, with four judges under scrutiny within a two-week period.

Circuit Judge Gary Farmer received an indefinite suspension without pay from the Florida Supreme Court on Wednesday due to inappropriate remarks and habitual absenteeism, even before his full case was reviewed. Circuit Judge Stefanie Moon faced criticism for questioning a lawyer in court about an unreturned campaign-related phone call from the previous spring. Circuit Judge Mardi Levey Cohen admitted to spreading unverified false information about her opponent during her 2022 reelection campaign. Additionally, Broward County Judge Lauren Peffer is under investigation for promoting a book during her campaign that criticized Orlando-area judges. Peffer, who had not read the self-published book, also shared a deepfake recording that falsely suggested misconduct by the Florida Supreme Court’s chief judge and other jurists.

Phillips, in an interview from her office, expressed disappointment over the situation, noting that it undermines efforts to restore the circuit’s reputation. She had anticipated focusing her early days on administrative tasks, such as preparing a budget and securing funding from the Broward County Commission. Instead, she is addressing these high-profile cases of misconduct.

With Broward County’s large judicial roster, Phillips acknowledged that the circuit may face a higher-than-average number of misconduct cases. However, she emphasized a goal of zero tolerance for such behavior, aiming to eliminate mistakes and mishaps entirely.

New judges in Florida are required to attend a statewide judicial college, which includes training on ethics and avoiding misconduct. Each judge is also assigned a mentor to guide them through their initial years in office. Phillips noted that while Peffer’s alleged misconduct occurred before she became a judge, the other three judges should have been aware of ethical standards.

To address ongoing issues, Phillips plans to closely monitor judges’ work hours, responding to concerns that some have treated their roles as part-time positions due to a lack of oversight. She stated that such practices would no longer be tolerated.

The Judicial Qualifications Commission, responsible for investigating complaints against judges, keeps its proceedings confidential until formal charges are filed, which can delay internal awareness of issues. Phillips stressed her commitment to addressing problems proactively before they escalate to public scrutiny.

The recent cases have drawn attention to the challenges Phillips faces as she works to uphold the integrity of the Broward County judiciary. Her focus remains on implementing stricter oversight and fostering accountability to prevent future incidents and restore public confidence in the circuit.

 

 

Source: Sun Sentinel