Miami-Dade Judge Suspended for 90 Days
The Florida Supreme Court said yes to the JQC's third attempt to propose sanctions against Miami-Dade County Court Judge Maria D. Ortiz, charged with ethics violations for accepting free hotel stays with her husband, who allegedly took them as bribes.
January 29, 2019 at 02:15 PM
2 minute read
Miami-Dade Judge Maria D. Ortiz. Photo: AM Holt/ALM.
The Florida Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered the 90-day suspension of Miami-Dade County Court Judge Maria D. Ortiz, who landed in hot water for accepting free hotel stays with her husband, Mariano Fernandez, a government official now facing corruption charges.
The third attempt at a stipulation worked for the Judicial Qualifications Commission, as the high court had already slapped down its two previous sanction proposals as too lenient.
Related story: Fla. Supreme Court for 2nd Time Rejects Proposed Discipline for Miami-Dade Judge
Most recently, Ortiz swapped a 30-day suspension without pay for the 90-day stint, which the justices allowed, along with a $5,000 fine, a public reprimand and reimbursement of the JQC's costs — $377.45.
Ortiz and the JQC agreed to the sanctions in December 2018. In their agreement, Ortiz admitted that she failed to inquire about how hotel stays in Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Miami Beach were paid for, while the JQC conceded that it would likely be unable to prove the judge intentionally violated the judicial canons.
“She has apologized for her misconduct and deeply regrets that her negligence may have damaged the public's perception of the judiciary or impugned the integrity of her colleagues,” the court order said.
Miami-Dade Circuit Chief Judge Bertila Soto will set Ortiz's suspension in motion before Feb. 13, while the clerk of court will schedule her public reprimand.
JQC lawyer Alex Williams and Ortiz's lawyer, David B. Rothman of Rothman & Associates in Miami, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Read the full court order:
Related stories:
Bad News for Two South Florida Judges Facing Discipline: High Court Rejects Stipulations
JQC Drops Case Against Former Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Stephen Millan
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