Former Broward County Court Judge Jay Spechler. Photo: CandaceWest.com.Former Florida Judge Suspended for Comment on a Courthouse Blog
Former Broward County Court Judge Jay S. Spechler received a 45-day suspension for posting an allegedly threatening comment on a courthouse blog about Broward Circuit Judge Michael Lynch.
March 20, 2020 at 01:00 AM
2 minute read
The original version of this story was published on Daily Business Review
The Florida Supreme Court suspended three South Florida attorneys between Feb. 22 and March 12, according to data released Thursday.
Among them: former Broward County Court Judge Jay S. Spechler, who received a 45-day suspension for posting an allegedly threatening comment on a courthouse blog about Broward Circuit Judge Michael Lynch.
The comment, posted on JAABlog.com, said, "Your intimidation and scare tactics will come to a screeching halt, just like your pathetic, miserable lives. Waiting is the hardest part." It also accused Lynch and affiliates of violating elections laws, and called attorney Michael Ahearn a "turd."
The message was posted anonymously, but a Broward Sheriff's Office investigation traced it to Spechler's IP address.
Spechler agreed to the suspension in a stipulation that said he was sorry and that his personal emotions had clouded his judgment. He had once been close friends with Lynch's father, retired Broward Circuit Judge Thomas Lynch, according to the stipulation, which said the families fell out after Michael Lynch was elected to the bench.
"Respondent has a great respect for the judiciary and rule of law, and realizes that he should have behaved more honorably," the stipulation said.
The sheriff's office ultimately found no threat, and Spechler claimed he was acting in retaliation to anonymous, malicious comments posted about him that he believed came from Michael Lynch—some of which mentioned his wife and children. But Spechler had no proof of this, and Lynch has denied involvement.
Spechler was admitted to practice in 1979 and spent 20 years on the bench. He is now a mediator in Hollywood.
Related story: Ex-Broward Judge Sent Threatening Message Via Blog's Comment Section to Current Judge
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