Falling for Deepfake Costs Judge More than $10k, Earns her Public Reprimand

The Trained A-Eye

A Florida judge got hoodwinked by a deepfake, causing her to face a fine, suspension, and public reprimand. It cost her upwards of $10,000 and tarnish to her public standing.

Case

Inquiry Concerning a Judge, No. 2025-0647 (Fla. 10/09/26)

What Happened?

In an interview with a newspaper, a Florida judge spoke of an "image crisis" in the state's judiciary, highlighting a book that contained denigrating statements about Sunshine State judges.

The judge had never read the book and admitted that she took no steps to authenticate the veracity of its statements. Additionally, the judge sent the interviewer a recording of a supposed conversation between Florida Supreme Court justices and a Judicial Circuit chief judge. However, the recording was of a fake telephone conversation.

Following consideration of the Judicial Qualifications Commission's Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, and Recommendations of the Hearing Panel, the Florida Supreme Court took up the matter.

Rule of Law

Canon 7A(3)(b) of the Florida Code of Judicial Conduct provides in relevant part that a candidate for a judicial office "shall maintain the dignity appropriate to the judicial office and act in a manner consistent with the impartiality, integrity, and independence of the judiciary."

What the Florida Supreme Court Said

The Florida Supreme Court rejected the judge's argument that although she violated Canon 7A(3)(b), her violation was unintentional.

"Intentional or not, her conduct undermined public confidence in the integrity of the judiciary ... when she had no basis to suggest a lack of trust in the judges ... and failed to verify the accuracy of the book or the recording on which she relied," the court wrote.

As a result, the court fined the judge $10,000 and suspended her for 30 days. She was also directed to pay the costs of the proceedings.

Verdict: The Florida Supreme Court remanded the case to the JQC to determine the amount of the costs. Additionally, the court ordered a public reprimand of the judge.

Takeaway

In the age of AI, factchecking is an important skill, and the failure to conduct it, especially in the legal field, can blemish a career.

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