Former Florida Judge Disbarred After Lying About ‘Personal And Emotional Relationship’ With Prosecutor

Former Broward Circuit Judge Ana Gardiner was found guilty Thursday of lying on the stand by the state's Supreme Court after denying her illicit relations with prosecutor Howard Scheinberg. Gardiner engaged in 949 phone calls and 471 text messages with Scheinberg during a capital murder trial.

 

She appeared to enjoy prosecutors more than her job.
A former Florida judge has been disbarred after an investigation revealed her "personal and emotional relationship" with a homicide prosecutor while he was trying a death penalty case before her.
Former Broward Circuit Judge Ana Gardiner was found guilty Thursday of lying on the stand by Florida's Supreme Court after denying her illicit relations with prosecutor Howard Scheinberg.

Howard Scheinberg

A recommended one-year suspension as punishment was swiped away by seven high court justices who instead unanimously voted to permanently revoke her ability to practice law, Reuters reported.

WPLG Gardiner and Howard Scheinberg, pictured, exchanged 949 phone calls and 471 texts during the death penalty trial, an investigation found. Despite this, Gardiner denied their relations.

That punishment followed the discovery of 949 phone calls and 471 text messages between Gardiner and Scheinberg over the course of five months during the 2007 capital murder trial of Omar Loureiro.
The justices ruled that Gardiner's relations with Scheinberg threatened her judgment while a man's life was in her very hands.
"Considering Gardiner's dishonest conduct and the harm that her actions have caused to the administration of justice in a capital first-degree murder case, we conclude that disbarment is the appropriate action," Reuters reported the Supreme Court’s order.

WPLG In a surprising twist, Gardiner has reportedly since married her defense attorney in the Bar investigation, David Bogenschutz, while Scheinberg is serving a two-year suspension.

Gardiner argued that nothing has ever interfered with her job while tearfully testifying at her Florida Bar trial in November.
"I've given everything up, including one of the things I love the most — my job," Local 10 reported her saying.

In a surprising twist, Gardiner has since married her defense attorney in the Bar investigation, David Bogenschutz, Local 10 reported.

She must also pay $8,117.18 in court costs.
Scheinberg is serving a two-year suspension.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/fla-judge-disbarred-lying-relations-prosecutor-article-1.1820366#ixzz348y5nQSG