UPDATE: Judge Jay Hurley Has An Opponent
BY BUDDY NEVINS
Broward County highest profile judge has an opponent.
Lawyer Melissa Minsk Donoho said in an e-mail she has filed against Judge Jay Hurley.
She said she filed the paper work to open a campaign “late Friday afternoon.”
Hurley said he is preparing a re-election campaign.
He won’t be easy to beat.
Hurley is on television almost daily as the judge who presides over the first appearance of criminals. The former fraternity brother of Gov. Charlie Crist was appointed to the bench in 2008.
In addition to regularly getting widespread media exposure, Hurley is said by many attorneys to be doing a good job.
Public Defender Howard Finkelstein is saying nice things about the judge.
“Judge Hurley has treated my clients fairly, said Finkelstein, who defends the poor. “He has treated my clients fairly, equally and with dignity.”
When an assistant public defender asked about running against Hurley last year, Finkelstein waved him off.
“I believe people should only run if it improves the bench. I think Hurley is already doing a fine job, Finkelstein said.
Finkelstein said he met Donoho in the past.
“I believe she was an assistant state attorney, he said. “She seemed to be a bright attorney.
Despite his effusively positive comments about Hurley, Finkelstein said he will not endorse anybody in the race.
Donoho’s name does not appear on the Broward Supervisor of Elections website yet.
She is the wife of Professor Douglas Donoho of Nova Southeastern Law School. Donoho teaches a wide range of courses from torts to constitutional law.
The professor’s page on the Nova website describes his wife as “an NSU graduate who specializes in death penalty defense. It states they have three children — Madison (14), Quinn (12) and Ailish (7).
A search of the newspaper files show Donoho has been in the news occasionally for a range of issues.
In addition to her representing death row inmates, a trip Donoho took to Cuba in 1999 to gather evidence came under fire from State Office of Fiscal Integrity in Tallahassee. The trip was also in apparent violation of state and federal laws, according to the Tallahassee Democrat.
Her bosses at the Capital Collateral Regional Counsel, the death penalty defenders, said the trip was needed to offer a proper defense to a inmate sentenced to death.
In 2007, The Herald quoted her when she spoke at the Broward School Board against requiring girls get vaccinations for cervical cancer:
”’Nobody can guarantee you 100 percent what something’s going to do your kid,’ said Melissa Donoho, whose daughter Madison is a sixth-grader at Sunrise Middle. She said that while children from all backgrounds are having sex at a young age and could be carrying and passing around the virus, parents should have ultimate say on the vaccination.”
Also in 2007, she got some attention for defending a homeless man who accused Hollywood police of beating him after he yelled “fuck off at them and punched one. A video tape did not back up his story, but there were allegations that the police altered the recording.
In 2008, the Donohos filed suit against a developer of the Tides condominiums in Fort Lauderdale. They alleged there was asbestos within the walls and the developers made changes in the Tides condo documents without telling buyers who had already closed.
She also is quoted extensively in August 2008 as discussing how she took care of her children when school was dismissed during a hurricane.
Donoho obviously knows how to talk to the media. Now we’ll see if she knows how to talk to voters.
Hurley has received $39,243 in donations and spent only $3,600 to organize his campaign and print some literature. Sources say Hurley is prepared to immediately put $50,000 of his own money into his campaign if necessary.
Donoho has to learn how to campaign, but when Hurley campaigned he was not successful.
Hurley ran previously against Browardbeat.com’s Guest Columnist Sam Fields and former County Commissioner Marcia Beach in 2000. He lost the primary with 19 percent of the vote. Beach beat Fields in the general election.
The judge also got dragged into the Scott Rothstein saga late last year. A report that was first printed on Browardbeat.com disclosed that Rothstein bragged to associates that he bought Hurley a seat on the bench.
Rothstein gave the state GOP $52,000 on July 28, 2008, the day Hurley was appointed. He gave $25,000 the next day to the party.
Hurley said he knew nothing about Rothstein or the allegations.
Donoho could not be reached for comment.
January 16th, 2010 at 8:00 pm
Buddy, some more info on Hurley:
He was a major republican booster, raising significant money for his FSU fraternity brother, Charlie Crist. Crist subsequently appointed Hurley the bench.
Hurley also improperly increased bond on a defendant earlier this year and gave an anti-abortion rant from the bench, which resulted in a swift appeal by Mr. Finkelstein’s office and reversal of the improper act by Judge Hurley.
Hurley has also been in the news in recent days for comparing a 79 year old grandmother kept in jail for over 2 weeks for a crime she didn’t commit to a lost fedex package. (nice one).
Lastly, it was recently reported he took at least one private jet flight that he didn’t report and likely didn’t pay for with disgraced Republican Fundraiser Harry Sargeant and Rothstein-related BSO officials Benjamin and Wheeler.
This is going to be a real race — TV time or no TV time for Judge Hurley.
January 16th, 2010 at 8:42 pm
Buddy
(when i posted this in total, it just kept coming back blank and not even “waiting moderation”)
Seriously, this article reeks that you if not a friend or at least a sympathizer for Judge Hurley.
How can you seriously not bring up all the news worthy media attention Hurley has had in recent weeks? For the guy who, rightfully so, raised so many things on guys like Rico and Rosen, give Hurley a pass and not mention what he has done recently. If you allow me I will give a refresher….
(I know you are no fan of Bob Norman but what he has written about Hurley recently has shown to be quite accurate.)
Judge Jay Hurley Tries to Bust Blog Commenter, Fails
http://blogs.browardpalmbeach.com/pulp/2009/12/judge_jay_hurley_tries_to_bust.php
Judge Hurley Says He Went to Cops for Security Reasons
http://blogs.browardpalmbeach.com/pulp/2010/01/judge_hurley_and_jaablog.php
While you moderate your blog so maybe the comments his wedding may or may not have passed the smell test with you. Mr. Gelin chooses to let his blog go unmoderated. The real issue here is that a Judge used his influence at BSO to get a subpoena to out a blogger that merely wrote who was attending and where the wedding was to be held. No paper trail, but luckily BSO was honest enough to say that the calls and investigation took place.
Judge Hurley Talks About Rothstein, Crist Appointment
http://blogs.browardpalmbeach.com/pulp/2010/01/judge_john_jay_hurley_and_rothstein.php
Buddy, you know as well as anyone, perception is reality. When you broke these allegations you made it clear that you didn’t think there was a quid pro quo but still the word “Rothstien” means hits and interest. From now on, whether by an opponents mail pieces or otherwise, the electorate will hear of the (whisper) “alleged tie between these two”
The interesting part here is that the TV Judge Hurley sought out to be interviewed by Bob Norman.
Wheeler, Benjamin, and Judge Flew To Game On Bundler’s Jet
http://blogs.browardpalmbeach.com/pulp/2010/01/harry_sargeant_flights.php
I cant say more here than read the article it is clear he has no idea if he complied with the reporting requirements. I wont even get into it just happened someone asked if he needed a lift to the game and it just happened to be on a private jet. Very Rothstienesqe. Again, perception is everything.
January 16th, 2010 at 8:42 pm
Let’s looks at some recent quotes from the esteemed Judge:
“I think if they are going to try to criticize me; they might say I’m not bright or I don’t know the law, but they won’t say that I have some huge ego.”
Sorry I like to think the Judges in my County of having the perception of being bright.
What about the article and quotes from you co-blog Broward Bulldog
http://www.browardbulldog.org/?p=733
Judge John “Jay†Hurley, the court’s full-time magistrate judge, typically zips through such cases without having defendants speak. He explained in an interview that an appeals court once reversed him for changing another judge’s bond, so unless someone calls a special circumstance to his attention he moves quickly to dispose of them.
Hurley is not in the same room as the inmates, but both sides can see each other on closed-circuit television monitors. The video shows that as Hurley gets to her, Shaink Trudeau leans forward to hear.
“Gabrielle Trudeau. That bond is $2,000,†says Hurley.
That’s all he said before moving to the next case. Looking puzzled, Shaink Trudeau swivels to face the woman sitting next to her. Then she turns her palms up in a gesture that appears to say “What just happened?â€
The video shows Hurley missed Shaink Trudeau’s reaction. Indeed, he didn’t see her at all as he read her name because rarely looked up while addressing her group of defendants.”
Howard Finkelstein says ““They let a judge give this person the bum’s rush,â€
In reviewing the circumstances that lest an 80+ year old woman in Jail and forced to wear shackles in court…
“It’s like when FedEx delivers a million packages a day and loses one or two. Do we really want to change the whole system because of it?†he said.
I doubt you will post this but we both know these articles and more (like being sued by Yellow Book for failing to pay his bill) will be all around to mold what his perception will be among the voters.
At the end of the day people want honest, hard working Judges who do a good job with no fanfare or trying to make themselves into a tv stars. Hurley is on his way to being the new Larry Seidlin, except Larry was at least funny.
Only Hurley’s own words and need for media attention does this challenger even have a chance. If he looses he can only blame himself
January 16th, 2010 at 9:20 pm
Melissa Donoho is seasoned in life experiences and a fine attorney and will make a good judge.
Hurley says something stupid every time he opens his mouth and is involved in the Rothstein and other scandals. It’s a no brainer.
FROM BUDDY: You forgot to say that she appears to have a wide range of legal experience, too. I look forward to meeting her and writing about her background.
January 17th, 2010 at 10:57 am
Buddy
As a blog owner how can you not mention how this guy tried to use inside ties with Jaab, BSO and SAO to expose a blogger who mentioned the guys wedding. Do we really need Judges who have no respect for the First Amendment.
FROM BUDDY: Someone in an earlier comment posted a link to the New Times stories about those incidents. I invite anyone to look at the stories and judge for themselves.
January 17th, 2010 at 11:12 am
All this moaning about Judge Hurley is misplaced.
(1) He is qualified more than most of those on the bench to be a judge.
(2) He has created a system in magistrate’s court that is fairer than it was in the past.
(3) He is under the microscope every day in magistrate’s court. Can anybody tell me what goes on in the other courtrooms daily? How do we know that other judges don’t make misstatements or say foolish things regularly?
(4) His opponent is very light on real experience.
(5) Ill take Howard Finkelstein’s word. Hurley is a fair judge, which is what a judge should be and nothing more.
January 17th, 2010 at 3:44 pm
Buddy,Hurley does not have 50K to put in his account. Just before getting this suscipious appointment Hurley was being sued by the Yellow Pages for not paying his bills. He decided to pay it after the lawsuit was filed and just before taking the bench.
I hear a criminal complaint might be filed with the SAO because he failed to report the illegal flight he too on Sergants plane.
January 18th, 2010 at 8:07 am
If Hurley has $50K to put into his campaign, where is it coming from? A peak at his financial disclosure shows he does have a dime to his name. Probably because he was such a loser lawyer. So, don’t BS us…show us the $$$$$$ Hurley. Call your bluff.
January 18th, 2010 at 11:58 am
Maybe he’ll “bump into” that billionaire that gave him the ride to the football game (that wasn’t disclosed and probably not paid for) and get some extra dough.
January 18th, 2010 at 3:08 pm
I find this all so incredible. Where is the Judicial committee that goes against judges. I do not believe the anti abortion comment. hurely has been doing good on the bench and is professional, knowledgeable about the law, and seems to work very hard.
January 18th, 2010 at 3:23 pm
This is clearly a smear campaign by one or two or three people. Hurley is a great judge. The courthouse knows it. The lawyers know it. If you have any proof that Hurley made an anti-abortion rant from the bench – or ever did anything inappropriate from the bench [other than a ruling you didn’t like] – then pony up or shut up. If you KNOW that Hurley is going to be criminally charged then put up or shut up.
January 18th, 2010 at 3:48 pm
Buddy – why say Donoho couldn’t be reached for comment if she sent you an email regarding this?
Are you publishing the email?
Did she make any other statements other than simply she has filed to run?
Here are some other questions:
How old is the “effusive” quote from Howard Finkelstein regarding Judge Hurley? Was it from before Hurley’s anti-abortion ruling that he was reversed on earlier this year? And was it before his comparison of an 80year old locked in jail for 2 weeks to a lost Fed-Ex package?
The only thing I’m really surprised about is that someone outside the existing candidates jumped into this race given the calls and pressure that had been exerted on existing candidates to leave their races to jump in against Hurley.
FROM BUDDY: She sent me a one-line answer on Monday to my e-mailed question from Friday whether she was running. She probably couldn’t be reached because it was a Holiday weekend and she was with her family and not at the law firm.
Finkelstein and I talked about Hurley twice. The second time he talked about him for at least five minutes.
Remember, Finkelstein said he was not endorsing any candidate in the race.
January 18th, 2010 at 3:56 pm
MELISSA DONHO IS A PROSTITUTE. SHE IS NOT CAPABLE OF MAKING AN UNBIASED DECISION SHE IS NO JUDGE SHE SHOULD REMAIN WHORING AS THE MEN IN HER PAST WILL ATTEST TO.
FROM BUDDY: I debated with myself about allowing this comment.
I decided to allow it — although it is anonymous, obviously bogus and vicious — because anybody getting into elective politics today should realize what campaigns have become.
January 18th, 2010 at 4:18 pm
Melissa Donoho is an excellent and fair attorney. She represented a friend of mine to research a possible plea. Many lawyers would have recommended the plea to get more $$. She was upfront and said “I cannot take your money”
She is an upstanding person and smart as they come. Hurley is tainted, way tainted. We are lucky to have someone like Donoho to have the guts to jump into this crazy vulturous arena! Go Girl!
January 18th, 2010 at 4:51 pm
I WATCHED JUDGE HURLEY ON CHANNEL 7 HANDLE THE UNAFFORDABLE BY MOST BOGENSHUTZ, WHEN RAY HUIZENGA WAS ARRESTED FOR THE 5TH OR 6TH TIME. THIS TIME HE WAS TRESPASSING, DOCKING HIS BOAT AT SOME LADIES HOUSE. HE HAD A WITNESS THAT SAID HUIZENGA ARRIVED BY BICYCLE, WASN’T EVEN ON HIS OWN BOAT. ROAD HIS BIKE! THEREFORE WASN’T TRESPASSING OR DRIVING DRUNK. JUDGE HURLEY ASKED HUIZENGA IF HE WAS DRINKING? HUIZENGA RESPONDED TRUTHFULLY: “I WAS!†AND HELD HIM ON A VIOLATION OF HIS FORMER PROBATION WHICH STATED: HE COULD NOT CONSUME ANY ALCOHOL WHILE ON PROBATION. VERY QUICK THINKING! HE WAS ABLE TO TAKE HUIZENGA OFF THE STREETS ON AN ARGUMENT BOGENSCHUZ MISSED. I LIKE THAT HE KNEW THE LAW! HE WAS FAIR, WELL INFORMED, AND HANDLED ARGUMENT AFTER ARGUMENT AND LIE AFTER LIE, BY AN ATTORNEY WHO CHARGES HIS CLIENTS TENS OF THOUSANDS MORE BECAUSE HE OUT TALKS, OUTSMARTS AND OUT THINKS THE JUDGES. IF I’M GUILTY, I WANT BOGENSCHUTZ AND ANY OTHER JUDGE BUT HURLEY IF I’M INNOCENT
I WANT HURLEY
January 19th, 2010 at 2:26 pm
Jay Hurley and Charlie Crist were Pikes at FSU
Gov Crist was married early in his life and had been a bachelor every since. Hurley the same
Gov Crist around the time of his elections always seemed to have a girlfriend. Post election they faded away. See the movie Outrage. Most recently when on the short list for Vice Presidential Nominee, Crist all of a sudden gets married.
Hurley, right before his nomination by the JNC becomes engaged to a courthouse cafeteria worker yet never says a date. Gets married to the woman in ceremoney where the guests got two weeks notice right around the same time rumors of an opponent catch fire. Voters like a family man, true.
Dont know what it all means but hey anybody getting into elective politics today should realize what campaigns have become.