Former Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Stephen Millan. Courtesy photo

Former Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Stephen Thomas Millan is no longer in hot water with the Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission after vacating the bench during an ethics probe.

The JQC, which investigates alleged misconduct by Florida state judges, voluntarily dismissed its ethics case after Millan's Aug. 3 resignation from office. The move relies on Rule 9.35(b) of the Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure, which allows the group to drop formal charges if a judge steps down from his post.

Click here to read the JQC's charges against Millan

Controversy had swirled around Millan for several months over charges he used the derogatory term “moolie” to describe black defendants in off-the-record conversations with attorneys, and later referred to black witnesses and family members in his courtroom as “thugs.”

“Once in your chambers you instructed your bailiff to go retrieve your wallet from the courtroom because, 'I don't trust it in there with those thugs,'” the JQC's May 21 complaint stated.

Millan didn't deny making the statements but insisted he meant no offense.

Though all charges have been dropped, Millan's judicial career is over. In order for the charges to be dropped, Millan had to agree never to seek further judicial office or senior judge status again.

Millan served in the Miami-Dade's children's court division, according to the Eleventh Circuit's website. He rose to the bench after being elected in 2014 for a six-year term beginning January 2015.

Millan's attorney, David Rothman of Rothman & Associates in Miami, declined to comment on the case.

The decision mirrors a recent move by the JQC to drop charges against former Broward judge John Contini, who resigned amid allegations he faked his docket to avoid work.

Former Broward judge John Contini. Photo: Melanie Bell/ALM

JQC Drops Charges Against Former Broward Judge John Contini

Three ethics cases against South Florida jurists remain pending before the JQC.

Miami-Dade County Court Judge Maria Ortiz is accused of accepting free hotel stays offered to her husband, former director of Miami Beach's building department, while Palm Beach County Court Judge Dana Marie Santino is accused of implementing unsavory advertising tactics against her opponent in the 2016 judicial election.

Miami-Dade County Court Judge Deborah White-Labora allegedly violated the Code of Judicial Conduct by writing a character reference letter in support of a defendant before his sentencing.

 

Related stories:

Miami Judge Resigns During Ethics Probe

Miami Judge Faces Suspension for Directing Racial Slurs at Black Defendants

Black Bar Association Wants Miami Judge Off the Bench for Using Racial Slurs

Aunt's Deathbed Wish Spurred Millan to Bench