DAILY BUSINESS REVIEW DECIPHERS SPECHLER RIDDLE
Judge Gehl Attorney Spechler
DAILY BUSINESS REVIEW:
Spechler reassignment, resignation came after disparaging remarks about fellow judge's sexual orientation
"Courthouse sources said County Court Judge Jay Spechler’s reassignment came after he got into a verbal altercation with fellow County Court Judge Peggy Gehl and made disparaging comments about her sexual orientation...
Rumors have circulated in the legal community for months that the state Judicial Qualifications Commission was looking at Spechler and several other local judges. Gehl is a member of the JQC...
Attorney Michael Ahearn, a friend of Spechler’s, said the former judge has joined the Center for Conflict Resolution in North Miami, which was founded by former Bay Harbor Islands Mayor Thomas Glick and Rosanne Shore in 1997.
Spechler had been courted by mediation firms for a while, and his judicial reassignment demonstrated the need for a change, Ahearn said.
“It was a game of chicken, and Jay had an out: a lucrative job offer he jumped at and hadn’t looked back,” Ahearn said.
Broward Circuit Judge Thomas Lynch echoed Ahearn’s comments that Spechler had been considering moving into mediation. He said Tobin’s letter prompted Spechler to take the job sooner rather than later.
“He had an offer on the table for a long time. You could say the abrupt transfer made the decision easier for him,” Lynch said...
“Jay will be sorely missed,” Lynch said."
Hey, Tom: You can still go surfing together with Spechler Thursday and Friday afternoons. Don't despair, Ahearn will carry your surf boards. He won't be joining you in the water though because he can't swim. Oh, brother!
You really stink as a self-proclaimed spin miester, A-Terd. "A game of chicken"? More like you're the biggest Turkey I've ever heard. Since when is any of this a game? You squawk like an old hen.
Is there no piece of political slime that Ahearn is not involved in?
wow. Cyberblob "let me buy you some award plaques for the judges" Ahern. I never knew you were so tight with Jay "let me call in the Fla Bar aagainst this blog" Spechler?
I guess that explains a lot of things, doesn't it? You have no integrity and envy those of us who do. Your reputation (along with that breath of yours) will follow you. Those who let you volunteer to help them (i.e., what you call 'work'), also know who you are and don't really trust you.
Hey, hog, as you walk the streets of Wilton Manors at night, dressed in all black, wandering from hole to hole, looking for validation, realize that you will never escape the isolation you have built for yourself.
Make society better - remove yourself from it.
Got to hand it to them. They only went with the "financial incentive" excuse to explain away his guilt and punishment.
I thought for sure it would be a combination of "financial offer"/"family considerations" excuse for sure. A most effective combination in the world of disgraced scuzz ball damage control jargon.
I imagine the racial slur was just the tip of the iceberg. I wonder what else was in the JQC file to make him panic resign to save his pension without notice?
Lynch thinks this guy was an asset. Give me a break. One more sadistic goon out of the picture.
Thank God.
zzzzzzzzzz I'm bored with Spechler already zzzzzzzzzz When does the JQC take Gardiner down?
Nobody likes a cheater.
Lynch said: "Jay will be sorely missed"? No, he won't at all, Tom. And I guess this lets you off the hook with him out of the way now. Divided loyalties are difficult to manage, aren't they? Especially for so old and close a friend. Just say good bye.
Poor Tom. Lost the election because of Spekles alienating all the judges.
Poor Jay. Lost his job because Dale couldn't protect him after he lost the Chief Judge job.
Poor Jay. Tom couldn't protect him because he lost the Chief Judge election because all the judges hate Jay.
A heaping helping of just deserts.
Spechler addressing another judge about her sexual proclivities? That really is the height of hypocrisy. This so called judge will never get what he really deserves, or will he? The rest of what's said in the DBR article by his friends is cheap flatulence and opportune rendition.
Lynch echoed Ahearn's comments. Let me see. And this guy wanted to be chief judge, right?
Ross busted for anti-hispanic (Nascar) and anti-black (horrible rap music) rants in court; Greene busted for calling a bunch of black witnesses, victim and defendant "Not Human"; Spechler busted for homophobic slur.
3 of the 4 "leaders" of the old administration demonstrating a disturbing trend.
Heaven knows what these people discussed behind closed doors amongst themselves.
Let's hope it's just a coincidence that Broward county sends minorities to prison at rates that dwarf our neighbors.
What happened to all the comments last night supporting Jay Spechler? No investigation, no affidavits, he just said no to Tobin, remember you said that? Are you truly surprised or did you just lie thinking the files would remain sealed? Why aren't you defending him now? Isn't he just a misunderstood sensitive guy, a victim to our too politically correct times? Doesn't everyone have hate in their heart? Why so silent?
What files? No one has seen any
What investigation? Herald article talks about a vague behind the scene investigation by unknown parties.
If this is true, why didnt Tobin just say so?
He quit his job, makes more money then ever and still is vested. Does not to seem to bad off.
Give up the ghost. Tobin can't comment on JQC negotiations. The Business Review confirmed JQC and the comment to Peggy Gehl. He's disgraced. Is this how you would like to leave office after years of service?
Ahearn and Lynch say Spechler was courted by mediation firms for a long time. Very, very lucrative. It just made good sense. Now Jay Spechler is just a county judge but Tom Lynch is a respected Circuit judge with complex litigation experience. Imagine how much more they would pay to have a man of Tom Lynch's experience. If Spechler gets 300 K, Lynch must be worth 500 to 750 per annum. Lynch has as much or more pension than Spechler too. By their logic, Lynch should go to a mediation firm too. It just makes good sense. He'd be much better off. Right?
stop beating up on jay. he blew it and paid the ultimate price. move on. he has.
If Jay thinks his resignation will end the JQC investigation, he is mistaken. The JQC has the power to go forward and they should. They've done it before. If Jay confronted a member of the JQC with homophobic slurs, the JQC might just finish their investigation, find probable cause, expose Jay for what he is, and then his "career" as a mediator will be over before it gets started. Surfs up. That's all Jay will be doing.
Oh ADJ....While I can understand the urge to stay away from that hag you have to share a house with (shudders at the thought), can't you find a more productive hobby than blogging.
Aren't there Mexicans for you to harass during off hours?
To 10:22
I'm not a Spechler fan, but you don't know what you are talking about. As of 3/31/08 at 5pm Jay Spechler is no longer a judge, as such the JQC has no jurisdiction over him.
This is confirmation of a JQC investigation? Didnt know a rumor could be a confirmation of anything outside this blog.
"Rumors have circulated in the legal community for months that the state Judicial Qualifications Commission was looking at Spechler and several other local judges.s?"
Not to bring up facts but ask Fred Haddad about his trial a few years ago where Ghel declared a mistrial AFTER a Jury said Not Guilty. Gehl was mad because Spechler called her out over it. I could imagine what everyone would say on here she tried to putt that crap on Fred today.
By the way ADJ, rumor has it the JQC is still investigating you abou your little anonymous letter writing last year. You could be correct this may not be the end of the JQC aroud here.
WOW!! WAS SHE REPRIMANDED after that incident..just googled it...very disturbing to say the least..any more interesting nuggets like that to share?
the only thing that keeps ross and company out of prison is that judges protect judges. finally their arrogances is catching up with them and being removed. not severe enough but better than nothing
Hey 10:37 - Try reading the Florida Constitution. The JQC DOES have jurisdiction over judges for up to opne year after they are no longer judges. While the JQC can take the easy way out and close their investigation, they can choose to go forward. Like I said before, they've done it before. Would you like the cite, as in the Southern Reporter?
can a sitting judge be banned from entering a public building? has such an order been issued before? seems odd to the public at large. do other judges think the chief judge's order over the top?
Hey 10:22 - Don't have time to wait for your response. Need to get to work. Below is a committee note on the 1996 amendment to the Florida Constitution that spells out why the JQC can still go after a judge after they resign. It's pretty clear. If you don't believe me, ask former judge Elizabeth L. Hapner. As the Florida Supreme Court said - "Judge Hapner has since resigned from her position as judge and claims that this action deprives the Court of jurisdiction to proceed. We disagree." 718 So.2d 785 (Fla.1998). It's really clear. Do you think the JQC has the guts to go forward? Only time will tell.
(Committee note) "Expanding jurisdiction of the JQC. The jurisdiction of the JQC was broadened to allow continued jurisdiction for up to one year following the service of a judge. Prior to this change, the JQC had jurisdiction over sitting judges and over actions that occurred prior to service in a judicial office as early as the date of 1966. The Article V Task Force expressed concern that under the current JQC process, the JQC lost jurisdiction over a judge who resigned in the face of an allegation and that the judge was insulated from further investigation or sanctions. Senate Joint Resolution 978 was fashioned after the American Bar Association model and provided the disciplinary body with continued jurisdiction over the former judge so long as the complaint is filed within one year after the judge has left the bench."
ADJ? Anonymous letter writing -- do tell?
Maybe with that stacked on top of lying to the JNC, harassing hispanic defendants in a manner which SHOULD have had this blog up in arms, and his 22 minute magistrates (everyone raise your hands, all MM defendants, I find probable cause and impose $100k bond), maybe his removal could be part of the "change" we want in Broward County.
Spechler hasn't ever been courted by any mediation firm. Just more packs of lies as he disappears in his hastily and desperate orchestrated weekend move out. He's leaving in disgrace. The guy's letter to the Gov. evidences his level of descretion, concern and appreaciation. A real one liner. Another big time loser with a concocted story to follow him out the door. Spechler will never make more money than he did as county judge. That's why he took the job in '88. You'll never hear anything more about him. As far as the maturity level of this Ahearn ... Well, I can only guess at the IQ of this pathetic, unfortunate, moron. These disgraced judges used to roll out other pathetic spokesmen when they messed up, but this just shows how bad things have gotten for these losers when all they can get to flatter their memory and concoct their swan song is this mentally challenged Baby Huey Ahearn. Good riddance to this judicial trash. Haven't they taken enough from our legal community? These creeps would suck the life out of their own grandmothers.
Wow......people say you have mental issues and "Crazy Runaway Bride Eyes" but I never knew how mentally unstable you were until that post.
You got evidence that Spechler reported this blog to the bar yet? Didn't think so.
Some of the crap that's up on this blog deserves a review by the bar (most does not). Your comments certainly did, and I hop you take some time off and get the therapy you so clearly need during the suspension you wind up getting (all props to Freddy, but sometimes, the guilty do wind up getting convicted).
Maybe you should look at your Reciprocity thread again and go get licensed somewhere else since practicing here has apparently caused you a nervous freaking breakdown.
Congrats on what I believe is the first post on this blog to suggest that someone do themselves in. You've taken this place to a new low. I think that makes it at least twice you've done that.
How anyone can hold you up as the poster boy for anything other than the need for broader mental health services for attorneys is beyond me.
Get help soon before you snap and so someone real harm.
Yeah, it was a little like rolling out the Big Lolly Pop Squad to make excuses for this guy. He's gone now, out of the picture, poof, and it's better for Broward. Things already smell better.
Wonder what Ahearn and Lynch will have to say after the JQC Investigation goes public? Spechler did himself in. Why not just leave it at that. The actions of these judges have a way of catching up with them when the time finally arrives that they are addressed. I think this is a huge leap forward for our judiciary and it will go far to clear the way toward healing a rift between them that has existed for many years. I hope the JQC does its work to bring confidence back to the process by doing the right thing to discourage this type of behavior in the future. I believe this matter is of a serious nature and should be afforded the due consideration it deserves.