The purpose of this summary provided by the Communications Department of The Florida Bar is to present media coverage that may be of interest to members. Opinions expressed in the articles are attributable solely to the authors. The Florida Bar does not adopt or endorse any opinions expressed below. For information on previous articles, please contact the publishing newspaper directly.
September 16, 2024
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The Florida Bar
GOVERNOR APPOINTS TWO TO THE BENCH
The Florida Bar | Article | September 16, 2024
Gov. Ron DeSantis on September 13 announced two judicial appointments to the Hillsborough County Court. Jeremy Griner of Plant City is to serve as judge on the Hillsborough County Court. Griner has worked as the solo practitioner at Jeremy R. Griner, P.A., since 2016. Previously, he was a senior associate at Wood, Smith, Henning & Berman. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and his juris doctor from Mississippi College School of Law. Griner fills the judicial vacancy created by the resignation of Judge John Conrad. Jennifer Johnson of Plant City is to serve as judge on the Hillsborough County Court. Johnson has served as an assistant state attorney for the 13th Judicial Circuit since 2005. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and her juris doctor from Florida State University. Johnson fills the judicial vacancy created by the elevation of Judge Logan Murphy.
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Legal Discipline
‘I WILL KILL YOU’: FLORIDA LAWYER WHO HELD GUN TO WIFE’S HEAD ALLEGEDLY HAS A LONG HISTORY OF VIOLENCE, POLICE SAY
Law & Crime | Article | September 14, 2024
On Wednesday [September 11], Florida attorney Andrew Zelmanowitz, allegedly assaulted his wife, escalating a history of domestic violence, according to Miami-Dade County court records. The incident began around 6:15 p.m. when his wife asked him to read a note. Zelmanowitz reportedly choked her, causing her head to hit a TV, and continued to assault her, preventing her from calling 911. He allegedly threatened to kill her, grabbed a gun, and placed it near her head. She later escaped. Zelmanowitz was arrested Thursday [September 12] after work and released on a $6,000 bond. The Florida Bar lists him in good standing at Fort Lauderdale’s Berger Singerman law firm, though his profile was removed.
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Legal Discipline
DISBARRED SOUTH FLORIDA LAWYER CHARGED WITH WIRE FRAUD, MONEY LAUNDERING
Daily Business Review | Article | September 13, 2024
John Spencer Jenkins, a disbarred attorney from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, has been charged with wire fraud and money laundering for embezzling approximately $650,000 of client funds. U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe and FBI agent Jeffrey B. Veltri announced the unsealing of the indictment. Jenkins allegedly misused two accounts: his law firm’s general business account and its IOTA account, intended for client funds. He embezzled $643,399.35 from a client’s estate for personal use. Arrested in Philadelphia, Jenkins faces three counts of wire fraud (up to 20 years each) and three counts of money laundering (up to 10 years each).
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Civil Justice
TRIAL BEGINS IN ALLEGED FLORIDA ELECTION CONSPIRACY THAT TILTED A MIAMI SENATE RACE
Miami Herald | Article | September 15, 2024
Former Miami state Senator Frank Artiles faces trial this week for allegedly orchestrating a scheme to influence the 2020 Florida Senate race in District 37. Prosecutors claim Artiles recruited and paid Alexis Pedro Rodriguez $50,000 to run as a fake independent candidate to siphon votes from Democrat Jose Javier Rodriguez, who lost by 32 votes to Republican Ileana Garcia. Artiles allegedly provided cash, gifts, and tuition payments, while secretly funding campaign ads. Artiles has pleaded not guilty to felony campaign finance violations, while Rodriguez, who cooperated with prosecutors, was fined $20,000. Jury selection begins Monday [September 16].