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Circuit Judge Howard accused of attempting to influence judicial candidate; FL Supreme Court to review recommendation
News  |  Fri - August 28, 2020 2:03 pm  |  Article Hits:461  |  A+ | a-
L-R: Judges and candidate for Florida's 5th Judicial Circuit Court: Judge George Angeliadis, candida
L-R: Judges and candidate for Florida's 5th Judicial Circuit Court: Judge George Angeliadis, candida
Judge Richard ("Ric") A. Howard of Florida's 5th Judicial Circuit, Group 22, which covers Citrus, Marion, Hernando, Lake and Sumter counties, is facing a potential public reprimand from the Florida Supreme Court, due to a ruling on Tuesday, August 25, by an investigative panel of the state Judicial Qualifications Commission, which recommended that the Florida Supreme Court issue a public reprimand of Judge Howard. 

Judge Howard is accused, during an April 2019 meeeting, of attempting to dissuade Brooksville, FL attorney Pamela Vergara from running against 5th Judicial Circuit Judge George O. Angeliadis (who hears cases in Hernando County), and instead running against 5th Circuit Judge Mary P. Hatcher (who hears cases in Marion and Sumter counties).

Candidate Vergara did not switch or abandone her candicacy, and in the August 18 primary election results, Ms. Vergara received 122,728 votes (51.3%), while incumbent Judge Angeliadis received 116,571 votes (48.7%), an edge of 6,157 votes.

Judge Howard, who was appointed to the bench in 2000, has had no displicinary action against him as an attorney, or as a judge. He agreed to not contest the decision, and no arguments will be heard by the Florida Supreme Court justices when they review the panel's recommendation.
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