SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – A Florida agency charged with investigating allegations of judicial misconduct has once again recommended suspension for a judge’s “intemperate conduct,” including raising his voice and using profanity.
This week, the Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission released its findings regarding Circuit Court Judge Wayne Culver. The recommendations in the report include a 60-day suspension, public reprimand, and continued anger management.
It’s the second time Culver has faced a potential suspension for his behavior on the bench. After several events during a two-and-a-half-week period in 2022, it seemed likely he would face discipline, but when the JQC first recommended suspension the Florida Supreme Court rejected it.
An investigative panel for the JQC first filed a Notice of Formal Charges against Culver in June 2022, alleging he engaged in intemperate conduct while presiding over two hearings in January and February 2022.
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Court documents state that while presiding over an injunction hearing on Jan. 25, 2022, Culver made sarcastic comments to a litigant, and “declared the litigant to be in direct criminal contempt, without conducting the legally required hearing.”
Then in February, the documents detail an exchange between Culver and a man who walked into the courtroom looking for a seat. Culver is heard raising his voice and using profanity, while threatening the use of his contempt authority, in a video obtained by News 6.
“Can you shut up and sit down?” he’s heard saying in the video.
After the JQC revealed their first proposed disciplinary actions, the Florida Supreme Court filed a document in response.
It stated in part, the “court rejects the stipulation and disapproves of the proposed sanctions” and orders “further proceedings to include a full hearing before the Judicial Qualifications Commission.”
That action led to a hearing in April where Culver himself testified. He admitted he did not act in the proper way, and he voluntarily completed an anger management course and sought mental health counseling.
In the new filing this week, the report from the JQC states in part, “Judge Culver admitted shocking himself by his use of profanity, and that members of the public would rightly be appalled.” It continues, “He knew it immediately when he left the bench, telling his judicial assistant ‘I really messed up in there.’”
News 6 reached out to an attorney representing Culver Tuesday, and our request for comment was never answered.
Culver is still hearing cases in Seminole County.
A spokesperson for Florida’s Supreme Court says the recommendation of the Judicial Qualifications Commission’s panel will now be considered by the court, again, for a final disposition.
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