Florida judge accused of porn on computer, improper action
Pinellas judge accused of porn on computer, improper action CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) -- A Circuit Court judge has been accussed of having pornographic images on his work computer and using improper conduct toward two female lawyers. Brandt Downey, 60, habitually viewed pornography on his court-issued computer and had inappropriate contact and communications with female attorneys, the state Judicial Qualifications Commission said Tuesday. Court employees were exposed to the images while working on Downey's computer, the charges state. Downey's accussed of telling an assistant state attorney, in private and in public, that she "looked nice today" and "looked pretty" and asked her to dine with him, which she declined. The charge also says he sent an inappropriate e-mail to a second female attorney. "I am disheartened that the JQC has chosen to pursue these charges in what is now my last year on the bench. My attorney and I will make every effort to rapidly resolve these charges to our satisfaction," Downey said. He announced last week that he will not seek re-election after 21 years on the bench in Pinellas and Pasco counties, citing "rumors and half-truths." Downey will retire when his term ends in January 2007. JQC Special Counsel Beatrice Butchko, who is prosecuting Downey, said she intends to ask for his removal from office if the case goes to trial. Downey also is charged with failing to disclose a juror's complaint that another juror was sleeping during a murder trial. TBO

Porno-Viewing Judge To Retire, Get Public Reprimand POSTED: 3:10 pm EDT June 30, 2006 UPDATED: 3:18 pm EDT June 30, 2006 TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- A judge who repeatedly viewed pornography on the computer in his chambers will receive a public reprimand and must retire at the end of his current term on Jan. 1, the Florida Supreme Court agreed Friday. The justices unanimously accepted a stipulation in which Circuit Judge Brandt C. Downey III of Clearwater admitted the pervasive porno-viewing. But he denied complaints that he failed to disclose a juror's note to lawyers at a sentencing hearing and showed inordinate interest in a young female prosecutor. Downey, 60, previously had announced his intention to retire at the end of his term. The stipulation with the Judicial Qualifications Commission also bars him from serving as a post-retirement senior judge or seeking appointment or election as a judge. The justices ordered Downey to appear before them Sept. 22 to receive his reprimand. The agreement also calls for him to sign a letter of apology to fellow judges and the public and to continue receiving counseling. Downey has served 21 years on the bench. He did not immediately return a phone call to his chambers seeking comment. He accessed pornographic Internet sites from 2002 through 2005 and ignored repeated e-mail warnings from court technology staffers that he could infect the entire computer network with viruses from certain sites, according to the stipulation. It also states courthouse personnel were unwittingly exposed to pornographic images when they came to his office to remove the viruses. http://www.local6.com/news/9455064/detail.html