Panel recommends removal of Broward Judge Laura Watson
By Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
The severe recommendation is a rare one for the JQC, which typically penalizes misconduct with public reprimands. Watson is the first judge in
Watson, who was elected in 2012, was accused of unilaterally negotiating a settlement with
Other lawyers representing the same plaintiffs in separate suits accused Progressive of operating in bad faith.
By negotiating a
The other lawyers sued Watson's firm and won. A
Although Watson claimed the JQC had no jurisdiction to rule on misconduct allegations stemming from a 10-year-old settlement, the decision written by
"JQC proceedings are constitutionally authorized for the alleged misconduct of a judge during the time she was a lawyer," Evander wrote. "There is thus no 'escape to the bench' for lawyers who violate the rules regulating the
A panel of six commissioners representing the JQC listened to three days of evidence against Watson in February. Watson represented herself at the hearing and insisted she had done nothing wrong.
"At its core, this case is about greed," Evander wrote. "Temptation overrode
The panel's recommendation was filed with the
"We don't think she did anything wrong that would warrant her removal from the bench," said
Sweetapple noted that not a single client testified against Watson during the JQC hearing.
The last
An outgoing voice message at Watson's office indicated she is away until next week. She did not respond to an email request for comment.
[email protected], 954-356-4457,
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