A Florida judge accused of ethics violations for inappropriately sentencing people to criminal contempt defended her actions by saying she had not yet gone to Florida Judicial College.
The Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission filed a 21-page complaint against Judge Anne Marie Gennusa Oct. 21, alleging violations of ethics rules that include conducting “improper or legally deficient” contempt proceedings. Gennusa was appointed to the bench in 2023 by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, and presides over misdemeanor criminal and traffic cases at the Putnam County Court House in Palatka.
The commission specifically cited ethics rules that require judges to “respect and comply with the law, “act at all times in a manner that promotes public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary,” “maintain professional competence,” and “be patient, dignified, and courteous” to litigants and professionals.
Gennusa was accused of “casual and illegal use” of her contempt power in these three specific cases.