POLK COUNTY, Fla. – Polk County Judge John Flynn has been ordered suspended for 25 days without pay and publicly reprimanded for campaign statements made during his 2022 election run.
The Florida Supreme Court approved a settlement reached between Flynn and the state Judicial Qualifications Commission, which accused him of demonstrating bias in favor of law enforcement agencies.
Wednesday’s Supreme Court decision, pointing to the settlement, said that Flynn’s statements “viewed in their totality, constitute ‘very serious’ misconduct.” The statements run afoul of canons requiring judicial candidates to “act in a manner consistent with the impartiality, integrity, and independence of the judiciary,” the ruling said.
READ: Mulberry Man Arrested After Threatening Churchgoers And Deputies: Polk County Sheriff
Flynn’s campaign featured the hashtag “#supportlawenforcement” in social media posts, according to the panel’s findings.
The inquiry also highlighted Flynn’s statements on social platforms, such as, “If you are a criminal you don’t want me on the bench” and “Criminals won’t be happy to see me on the bench…”
In his social media activity, Flynn referred to the Polk County Jail as “Grady’s Hotel,” a nod to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.
READ: Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd Rips ‘Moron’ Thief Caught Stealing 2 Carts Of Publix Groceries
Although Flynn’s statements were deemed “very serious” misconduct, the Court acknowledged mitigating factors like his remorse, cooperation with the investigation, and previously clean record. This led to a reduced suspension from the initially proposed 30 days.
The Court emphasized the importance of judicial candidates upholding impartiality and integrity, highlighting that Flynn’s statements violated these principles. This case serves as a reminder that judges must remain neutral and avoid any perception of bias, especially during election campaigns.
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