Published on October 22, 2024 at 10:39 am
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An investigative panel on Monday alleged that a Putnam County judge appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis last year abused her authority through the “improper use” of judicial contempt power “in direct contravention of clearly established procedures and law.”
The panel of the Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission filed what is known as “a notice of formal charges” against Judge Anna Maria Gennusa detailing a series of allegations.
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In one instance, Gennusa is accused of making “undignified comments” and acting illegally when she sent a defendant to jail and ordered the alleged victim to be handcuffed for three hours before reconvening and ordering the victim to be released, according to the charges.
The notice also said that Gennusa held a mother in “direct criminal contempt” and sentenced her to 10 days in jail after arguing with her during a truancy hearing.
The mother told the judge that her three minor children had missed school and were “psychologically unstable” because their father had murdered their grandfather, who was the woman’s father. One of the children had witnessed the killing, the notice said.
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“You interrupted the mother and inexplicably stated, ‘I get all that — I understand — l get all that, but that’s not a reason for the kids not to go to school,’” the notice said.
Video recordings of the hearing “did not support” Gennusa’s contempt order and written findings, the panel found.
“The Commission is mindful that the use of direct criminal contempt by a judge is an extraordinarily serious decision, and something to be weighed by each judge, in each circumstance. Here, however, your unwarranted and improper use of contempt in some instances, coupled with your failure to follow the law governing your use of contempt in all cases, cumulatively, constitutes a pattern of abusing your contempt authority,” the notice said.
Judge’s response
During an appearance before the panel, Gennusa acknowledged she did not conduct “procedurally proper” contempt hearings at times but sought to excuse her behavior because she had not yet attended Florida Judicial College, according to the notice.
“Your unwillingness or inability to govern yourself with the dignity, courtesy and patience required by the (judicial) code, as well as your casual and illegal use of your contempt power in direct contravention of clearly established procedures and law, raise serious questions about your fitness to serve as a judicial officer,” the notice, filed at the Florida Supreme Court, said.
The notice said Gennusa practiced criminal and family law for 29 years before DeSantis appointed her to the bench in April 2023.
