A Broward County circuit court judge will be suspended without pay starting next week after a state panel found him unfit for duty. The decision follows allegations of inappropriate remarks, biased behavior, and poor attendance by Judge Gary Farmer, a former Democratic state senator.
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The Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission (FJQC) announced the suspension, effective at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, pending a disposition hearing. The move comes roughly a month after the FJQC recommended Farmer's removal from the bench.
Inappropriate Remarks Spark Investigation
The FJQC launched an investigation in October 2024 after reports surfaced of Farmer's unprofessional conduct. A December 2024 probable cause hearing confirmed the need for further scrutiny. Court documents reveal multiple instances where Farmer made remarks deemed inappropriate, damaging the judiciary's reputation.
On August 15, 2024, while presiding over a felony case, Farmer mocked a defendant expecting three children with different women. "OK, you've been busy. You were just shooting all over the place!" Farmer said, according to filings. He added, "Don't tell Susie about Jane. Don't tell Jane about Mary." Later, he jokingly ordered the defendant to "wear a condom at all times" before clarifying it was a jest.
In another case, State v. Georgia Smith, Farmer sang about "Sweet Georgia" and referenced peaches and marijuana, telling the defendant, "You get your weed in California." He also quoted a comedy sketch from "In Living Color" that mocked gay people and made lighthearted but ill-judged puns, such as, "Spring is here. I got so excited I wet my plants."
The panel criticized these as "exceptionally bad jokes," noting they undermined the court's dignity. "Judge Farmer has damaged the public's perception of the judiciary," the FJQC stated, citing his "extensive misconduct" over time.
Judge Faces Additional Allegations
Beyond inappropriate humor, Farmer faced accusations of neglecting judicial duties. He reportedly exceeded his 30-day judicial leave limit and failed to uphold due process, showing bias in certain cases. These lapses further justified the panel's call for suspension.
Farmer's attorney defended his actions, arguing the jokes aimed to ease courtroom tension and humanize proceedings. "They generally are G-rated dad jokes that are corny but not offensive," the attorney wrote in a court response. However, some remarks were admitted to be "racy" and inappropriate. Farmer apologized, particularly for the "In Living Color" reference, claiming he forgot his microphone was on.
Despite the apologies, the Florida Supreme Court's commission upheld the suspension, emphasizing accountability.
