Broward County Courthouse, Fort Lauderdale. Courtesy photo

A Broward circuit judge is facing possible suspension after being caught on security footage wrapping her hands around a court employee's neck.

An investigative panel of the Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission recommended a suspension for Broward Circuit Judge Vegina “Gina” Hawkins to the Florida Supreme Court on Thursday. A notice of charges said Hawkins was taped physically assaulting an employee June 11 after learning the afternoon docket was not ready when she expected it in the morning.

“After being informed that the papers would be provided to her shortly, Judge Hawkins sought out the employee who was working in another judge's courtroom,” the filing said. “Entering the courtroom through a secure hallway, Judge Hawkins motioned for the employee to come outside into the hallway. As the employee walks through the doorway, Judge Hawkins placed her hands around his neck and shook him back and forth.”

The video shows Hawkins have a “brief but intense” conversation with the employee after the encounter, the JQC said.

In addition to characterizing Hawkins' conduct as “exceptionally inappropriate,” the JQC panel raised concerns with the judge's portrayal of the incident.

A statement provided by the judge to investigators said she was acting in “jest.” She also asserted she never touched the employee and portrayed their relationship as “fairly friendly.” The recommendation said Hawkin's characterization was refuted by the surveillance footage and statements by others who work in the courtroom.

Read the suspension recommendation:

“The employee involved did not describe the judge's demeanor that morning as friendly or joking, but described her as 'extremely upset,' ” the filing said. “ Another employee who interacted with Judge Hawkins shortly after the incident says Judge Hawkins remarked about the encounter and demonstrated what she did by making a choking motion in the air. This employee described Judge Hawkins' overall behavior as 'unnecessarily unprofessional and unpredictable.' ”

Hawkins' attorney, Fort Lauderdale litigator David Bogenschutz, filed a response and objection to the JQC panel's recommendation with the high court. Her filing said the judge was unsure if the video shown to her by the panel was the same one she reviewed with Broward Circuit Chief Judge Jack Tuter in his office. Hawkins was unsure if she physically touched the employee but eventually conceded she had and said “whether she touched him or not, her actions were inappropriate,” Bogenschutz wrote.

Bogenschutz declined to provide additional comments.

The JQC proposed suspending Hawkins indefinitely without pay until the investigation is complete. JQC investigations normally take months.

The JQC panel “does not find Judge Hawkins' testimony that she was 'calm' and 'not at all angry,' credible, and having reviewed the statements and video evidence, the panel does not believe that her actions were in 'jest,' ” the recommendation said. The JQC was concerned that “ Hawkins' inability to understand that even in jest, her conduct was wholly inappropriate.”

“Within the judicial branch, as in civilian life, it is never appropriate for a person in a supervisory position to put their hands around the neck of an employee or subordinate and shake them,” the filing added. “It is all the more inappropriate, and potentially criminal, when such conduct is motivated by anger, or to emphasize displeasure.”

Tuter's office did not return for comment by deadline, but the call was made after the main Broward County Courthouse was closed due to a major water main break.

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