Does Trumpeting Trump Hurt Judicial Candidate? Plus More Broward Courthouse Capers
BY BUDDY NEVINS
Fort Lauderdale lawyer David Di Pietro was on television again last week proclaiming joy over Donald Trump.
This time it was enthusiasm over Trump’s 11 potential nominees for the Supreme Court. One of the nominees equated homosexuality with necrophilia.
A lot of people voted for Trump in the March primary so Di Pietro obviously is doing himself little harm in the Broward Republican Party. Di Pietro has been active in the Florida GOP for years.
But Di Pietro’s wife is Judge Nina Di Pietro, who is running to hold her seat on the County Court bench. That judicial race will be decided by Democrats because members of that party traditionally turn out in much bigger numbers in Broward’s August primary.
Nina Di Pietro is campaigning for the first time after being appointed to the bench by Gov. Rick Scott.
Nina Di Pietro
A Scott acolyte when his wife was appointed, David DiPietro recently broke with the governor. He quit the Broward Health governing board amid a scandal over management of the hospital district.
Nina DiPietro has a tough race against Brenda Di Ioia and former Judge Ian Richards.
So the obvious question is whether David Di Pietro’s outspoken support of Trump — he endorsed in just prior to the primary — is aiding his wife or harming her election chances?
Advertising Broke Rules
Circuit Court candidate Phyllis Pritcher quickly said she would alter her campaign advertising after Browardbeat.com pointed out that it violated rules governing judicial campaigns.
The handout is here:
It violates both the state Election Laws and the Code of Judicial Conduct by not placing the word “for” between Pitcher and Broward County Judge Group 2. By leaving out “for,” the piece creates the appearance that Pritcher is an incumbent judge.
Florida Election Laws state that “political advertisement of a candidate who is not an incumbent of the office for which the candidate is running… must include the word “for” between the candidate’s name and the office for which the candidate is running, in order that incumbency is not implied.”
The judicial conduct rules further states that a candidate for judge must not “knowingly misrepresent the identity, qualifications, present position or other fact concerning the candidate or an opponent.”
When Browardbeat.com sent an e-mail to Pritcher pointing out her error, she wrote back:
“You are correct and I changed this on new pieces. I thank you very much for bringing it to my attention… As you know we just filed and qualified. Lee and I are trying to get all of this together quickly and some things get overlooked. ”
Pritcher opened her campaign against County Judge Kal Evans just 12 minutes before the filing deadline on May 6.
“Lee” she mentions in her e-mail is Lee Cohn, a former lawyer and now a consultant who was featured in a Browardbeat.com post linked here.
“I sincerely thank you for pointing this out,” Pritcher added.
Governor Appoints Two Judges
Gov. Rick Scott appointed two judges on Monday to fill vacancies in Broward. Here are the short news releases:
Governor Rick Scott Appoints Michael Davis to the Broward County Court
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott announced the appointment of Michael Davis to the Broward County Court.
Davis, 37, of Fort Lauderdale, has been a Senior Assistant Attorney General since 2014. He was previously a Senior Child Best Interest Attorney with the Florida Guardian Ad Litem Program from 2012-2014. Davis received his bachelor’s degree from State University of New York at Stonybrook and his law degree from Hofstra University. He fills a vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Eric M. Beller.
Governor Rick Scott Appoints Jose A. Izquierdo to the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit Court
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott announced the appointment of Jose A. Izquierdo to the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit Court.
Izquierdo, 40, of Miramar, has practiced with Izquierdo & Marin, P.A. since 2007 and with the Law Offices of Jose Izquierdo, P.A. since 2006. He previously practiced with the Law Offices of Bradford M. Cohen, P.A. from 2002-2006. Izquierdo received his bachelor’s degree from Florida International University and his law degree from the University of Florida. He fills a vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Cynthia G. Imperato.
Jose Izquierdo
May 23rd, 2016 at 8:05 pm
I try to be fair but the Trump judicial list is OUT OF STEP WITH THE TWENTIETH CENTURY LET ALONE THE TWENTY-FIRST. For an early 19th century court when there was NO INCOME TAX. NO EMANCIPATION OF THE SLAVES NO WOMENS SUFFERAGE STATE LEGISLATURES ELECTED US SENSTORS NO FOOD n DRUG LAWS these candidates would be acceptable BUT TODAY?
I am all for considering conservative judicial candidates even reactionary ones BUT HIS LIST DELUSIONAL PROTO-FASCISTS.
May 24th, 2016 at 9:05 am
Lil’ Dave has been pushing the ultra conservative line on Fox for a long time. His wife was appointed by the most conservative right-wing governor this state has ever had in history. A Democratic voter has to be insane to vote for her.
May 24th, 2016 at 9:06 am
Nina has been just what was to be expected by a 30 year old with no experience. A know nothing, entitled who looks down her nose on everybody.
May 24th, 2016 at 10:58 am
Amazing the so called good and loyal democrats that support the wife of the Trump lovin David Di Pietro as seen here on the Judge’s recent mail piece.
http://www.browardbeat.com/did-judge-nina-di-pietros-ad-violate-code-of-ethics/
Henry Rose – Hillary Delegate
Allana Mersinger- Dem and from her FB page, a devout Trump basher
https://www.facebook.com/alanna.mersinger?pnref=story
Adele Berger – Grand Dame of the Dems in Century Village West and BFF to Century Village Dem Prez Sophie Bock
Democrat State Rep Bobby Dubose
Commissioner Dan Daly who recently switched parties from Republican to Democrat
Ruth Lynch – Former First Vice Chair to the Broward Dem Party
May 24th, 2016 at 8:10 pm
Q: How many lawyers for the Broward County Public Defender’s Office have had a bar complaint filed on them by their former bosses?
A: One. Nina DiPierto.
https://www.myactsofsedition.com/blog/2015/07/16/the-nina-dipietro-bar-complaint/
May 25th, 2016 at 9:04 am
I attended the judicial forum on Tuesday in Pompano. It thought it was odd that Judge Di Pietro skipped it. In light of this article, it makes sense why she didn’t attend.
May 25th, 2016 at 10:34 am
I do not know Judge Di Pietro but I feel sorry for her. It appears that her opposition is based on the failings of her husband. How could anyone astute in Broward politics knowingly give a pro Trump interview to Fox News while their wife is running in a county that is heavily democrat? Mr. Di Pietro is either a unbridled narcissist or he is actually trying to sabotage his wife’s campaign.
May 25th, 2016 at 10:02 pm
Nina, Brenda and Ian……what sad choices.
I guess Ian may get his job back because the other two………well, enough said
May 25th, 2016 at 10:51 pm
Her campaign disclaimer must also state that it’s “approved” by her.