Gabe Martin Update and A Judge To Resign?

We received this letter from Mr. Gabriel Martin. For many of you who knew him and worked with him in the Public Defender’s Office, the information in his letter is bittersweet. You will be happy to learn that Gabe did not do anything criminal. However, you will be sad to learn that he did mismanage his private practice and allow a dishonest and disbarred lawyer to take advantage of his inexperience. The result is a three year suspension from the practice of law.


Hello Everybody:
This is my first time writing to the blog, even though I do check it out every once in a while. I write to communicate to my friends (and those not so friendly) and colleagues about my ongoing situation, which has been referenced here on several occasions. I think you can understand that while my bar matter was pending, I really wasn’t at liberty to speak about it.
On Thursday, The Florida Supreme Court approved Judge Marc Schumacher’s report in my disciplinary matter, calling for a three-year suspension of my bar license, nunc pro tunc, October 16, 2006. The referee’s report in this case was the result of an agreement between the parties. I’ve linked both Judge Schumacher’s report and the Supreme Court order below for those who wish to review them.
The report finds, generally, that I was negligent in my supervision of a former free-lance paralegal, George Garcia, and in the maintenance of my real estate trust accounts. Obviously, as someone who takes considerable pride in his work, I am humbled by the fact that I made these mistakes and will take great effort to avoid any such mistakes upon my return to practice.
The report also finds I was unaware of any fraudulent or illegal activities on the part of Mr. Garcia, and that I passed a George Slattery polygraph to that effect. It is also important to note, that I did not in any way benefit from any alleged fraud and that there was never an allegation of commingling of trust funds with my operating or personal funds.
I thank all of you who have been supportive during this very trying time. I am very thankful to my attorney, Richard Baron, the Court and the staff at the Florida Bar who at all times treated me with great professionalism and respect.
Regards,
Gabriel Martin


SCHUMACHER’S ORDER

SUPREME COURT ORDER


Rumpole says: Quite a fall from the early promise of a bright career and a legitimate shot at becoming Public Defender. His challenge to Bennett Brummer shook up a lot of people, and his involvement in a successful Federal lawsuit against Brummer
(Motto: "No one runs against me and gets away with it.") by his colleague Mr. Richardson who was fired by Brummer for supporting Martin, was the first story this blog broke, and it put us on the map. It takes courage and character to face up to one’s shortcomings, and in this matter, Mr. Martin has shown both. We wish him well.

CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE TO RESIGN?

Our mailbox has been buzzing with rumours of one REGJB Circuit Court Judge who is about to resign. Our sources indicate no, repeat no scandal here. Nor has this "mild mannered" Judge signed a hefty contract for a new TV show as has been the case lately for the Miami Judiciary. It appears merely that sitting high on the bench has just not been all that it was cracked up to be for this well liked jurist. That and the appeal of a lucrative offer in the private sector has made this Judge to decide to hang up the robes. Lets see if Rumpole's sources are correct on this one, and if they are, you can say you read here first, in your favourite Justice Building Blog.

It's nice to be back and to start the new school year off with a juicy rumour. Now lets get to work.

See You in Court refreshed and raring to go.