Broward County Courthouse at 201 SE 6th St., Fort Lauderdale, FL. Courtesy photo Broward County Courthouse at 201 Southeast Sixth St., Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Courtesy photo

The Florida Supreme Court has issued an order suspending recently appointed Broward Circuit Judge Vegina ‘Gina’ T. Hawkins without pay.

The high court’s decision follows the Investigative Panel of the Florida Judicial Qualification’s recommendation to suspend Hawkins filed Thursday. As recounted in the JQC’s recommendation, Hawkins was filmed wrapping her hands around a Broward County Courthouse employee’s neck by a courthouse security camera June 11. Hawkins was purportedly upset with the employee because her afternoon docket was not ready as she’d expected.

The JQC classified the video as confidential.

Although the JQC panel noted Hawkins expressed remorse for the incident, investigators took issue with the judge’s characterization of her gesture as one made in jest. The recommendation described the judge’s actions as “wholly inappropriate,” “potentially criminal” and asked the Florida Supreme Court to suspend Hawkins pending the conclusion of their investigation.

Hawkins is relatively new to the role, having been elevated to the bench in November by former Florida Gov. Rick Scott, now a U.S. senator. She filled the vacancy left by the retirement of Broward Circuit Judge Michael L. Gates in July 2018 and worked with the Broward State Attorney’s Office prior to her appointment. According to her Florida Bar profile, Hawkins was admitted to the bar in October 2004.

Read the suspension order:

Hawkins’ legal counsel, Fort Lauderdale attorney David Bogenschutz, told the Daily Business Review he and his client were disappointed with the Florida Supreme Court’s decision.

“That doesn’t affect our decision to continue to contest this, and that’s what we intend to do,” Bogenschutz said, adding a response to the JQC is forthcoming. “The JQC and the Florida Supreme Court has a tendency, thankfully, to move these cases along.”

Broward Circuit Chief Judge Jack Tuter expressed concern over Hawkins’ exchange with the court employee.

“Last month an incident regarding Judge Hawkins was brought to my attention and the matter was thoroughly investigated,” Tuter  said in an emailed statement provided to the Daily Business Review prior to the release of Friday’s order. “After the investigation, Judge Hawkins self-reported the matter to the Judicial Qualifications Committee who has jurisdiction over allegations of judicial misconduct.”

The chief judge added, “Judge Hawkins is deeply apologetic over the incident. There exists no situation in which a judge can inappropriately touch any person.”

 

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