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Florida’s News in 90: Trump in court, extreme weather and cruise passengers assault

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Florida’s News in 90: Trump in court, extreme weather and cruise passengers assault


Support local journalism. Unlock unlimited digital access to your local USA Today Florida Network news site.

Looking for the stories included on today’s News in 90 Seconds? Click the links below:

Trump in Fort Pierce live updates: Crowd awaits his exit from courthouse; could be hours

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Tornado watches issued for several Florida counties as another cold front moves through

2 women on cruise out of Florida reported being drugged, raped in Bahamas. What we know

Rob Landers is a veteran multimedia journalist for the USA Today Network of Florida. Contact Landers at 321-242-3627 or rlanders@gannett.com. Instagram: @ByRobLanders Youtube@florida_today

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Judicial Watch founder among eight disciplined by Florida Supreme Court

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Judicial Watch founder among eight disciplined by Florida Supreme Court



The Florida Supreme Court has suspended Judicial Watch founder Larry Klayman for two years.

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The Florida Supreme Court recently disciplined eight attorneys, suspending seven and reprimanding one.

The Florida Supreme Court, The Florida Bar and its Division of Lawyer Regulation are charged with administering a statewide disciplinary system to enforce Supreme Court rules of professional conduct for the more than 114,000 members of The Florida Bar.

Court orders are not final until time expires to file a rehearing motion and, if filed, determined. The filing of such a motion does not alter the effective date of the discipline. Disbarred lawyers may not re-apply for admission for five years. They are required to go through an extensive process that includes a rigorous background check and retaking the Bar exam. Attorneys suspended for periods of 91 days and longer must undergo a rigorous process to regain their law licenses including proving rehabilitation. Disciplinary revocation is tantamount to disbarment.

Boca Raton

Larry Elliot Klayman, suspended for two years. Admitted to practice in 1977, Klayman engaged in a conflict of interest when he represented plaintiffs in three separate cases against Judicial Watch, an organization he founded and for which he previously served as general counsel, without seeking conflict waivers. In another matter, he expressed to his client that his personal feelings for her rendered him unable to properly represent her. However, he failed to withdraw from her case even after being terminated, and he publicized the case against her wishes.

Fort Lauderdale

David Casals, suspended due to a felony conviction. Admitted to practice in 2000, Casals was charged by information with Trafficking in cocaine, Delivery of cocaine, and Introduction of contraband into a County Detention Facility. On Sept. 5, Casals was convicted after a jury trial of Possession of Cocaine, a third-degree felony, and Introduction of Contraband into a County Detention Facility, a first-degree misdemeanor.

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Casals was sentenced to 364 days in the Palm Beach County Jail, followed by a three-year term of supervised probation with other conditions. Casals has filed a notice of appeal. The Supreme Court of Florida has ordered that a referee recommend the appropriate disciplinary sanction for Casal’s criminal misconduct.

Marcy S. Resnik, suspended for 10 days and ordered to attend Ethics School. Admitted to practice in 1988, Resnik entered a plea of no contest to the misdemeanor charge of Obstruction/Resisting an Officer without Violence. The charge was based upon Resnik’s advice to a former client that she should not discuss a certain matter with police because she had previously signed a settlement agreement that contained a confidentiality and non-disparagement clause.

Panama City

Billy-Joe Hoot Crawford, felony suspension. Admitted to practice in 1998, Crawford was convicted of one count of Interference with Custody, a third-degree felony, and one count of Tampering with a Witness, Victim or Informant, a third-degree felony, on Jan. 30, 2024.

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Altamonte Springs

Jeffrey Rice Hussey, suspended. Admitted to practice in 1990, Hussey failed to respond to an official Bar inquiry and the Bar filed a Petition for Contempt and Order to Show Cause with The Florida Supreme Court. The Court issued an Order to Show Cause to which Hussey failed to respond.

Plantation

Joan Marie Powers, suspended for 20 days. Admitted to practice in 1985, Powers filed appearances in immigration proceedings while her clients were being held at Krome Detention Center. The appearances specifically indicated that Powers would represent her clients in all proceedings, where Powers claimed her services were only meant for the cases while at Krome.

When each client was released from Krome, Powers took no further action on their cases but failed to withdraw. In one matter, after failing to appear for a removal hearing, that client was ordered deported. In the other, a one-year deadline to file a petition for asylum was missed.

Orlando

Eduardo Rodriguez, public reprimand administered by personal appearance before the Board of Governors of The Florida Bar, completion of Ethics School, completion of Professionalism Workshop, and completion of an additional continuing legal education course. Admitted to practice in 1999, Rodriguez, the supervising partner of his law firm, at times permitted retainer and contingency fee contracts and other legal documents to be notarized by qualified law firm employees without the notaries having witnessed the execution of the documents, nor were the client/signors present, as required by Florida law regarding notarizations.

St. Petersburg

Jennifer Anne Tanck, suspended. Admitted to practice in 2008, Tanck failed to respond to an official Bar inquiry and the Bar filed a Petition for Contempt and Order to Show Cause with The Florida Supreme Court. The Court issued an Order to Show Cause to which Tanck failed to respond.

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Key discipline case files that are public record are posted to attorneys’ individual online Florida Bar profiles. To view discipline documents, follow these steps. Information on the discipline system and how to file a complaint are available at www.floridabar.org/attorneydiscipline.



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Former Florida guards swap jersey in first NBA meeting

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Former Florida guards swap jersey in first NBA meeting


Walter Clayton Jr. and Will Richard wore the same logo on their chests for two years, but now they’re both looking to make a name for themselves in the NBA. Still, the duo remains part of Florida Gators history, and what do old teammates do when they meet up at the pro level? That’s right, it’s jersey swap time.

Richard and the Golden State Warriors got the better of Clayton and the Utah Jazz, 134-117, but it was all love after the game. The two won a national championship just seven months ago, and they remain the blueprint for transfer success at Florida under Todd Golden.

Although Clayton was the bigger star in college, Richard has gotten off to a hotter start in the NBA. He’s started a few games for the Warriors and put up nine points, six rebounds and two steals in Monday night’s win. Despite coming off the bench, Richard played 29 minutes. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr and point guard Steph Curry have praised the former Gator, who’s emerging as one of the biggest steals of the NBA draft (56th overall).

Clayton’s NBA career has started off slower. The 18th overall pick is averaging 5.4 points, 3.2 assists and 2.1 rebounds over 15.9 minutes per game. He spent a game at the G-League level earlier this week, but a 20-point, five-rebound and five-assist outburst got him called back up after a few days.

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Although Clayton went scoreless in the head-to-head matchup with his former teammate, he had four assists, one rebound and a block.

This won’t be the last time the two meet on the hardcourt. Gators fans hope to see several matchups between the two, hopefully with both as starters, in the coming years. Getting the jersey swap out of the way early is smart. Who knows how tightly contested those future contests will be?

Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.





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DHS moves to deport ‘criminal illegal alien’ who threw coffee at Florida mom and baby over unleashed dog

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DHS moves to deport ‘criminal illegal alien’ who threw coffee at Florida mom and baby over unleashed dog


Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) plans to deport an alleged “criminal illegal alien” from Finland accused of throwing coffee on a baby, mother and the family’s dog during an altercation in Florida. 

Nina Kristina Jaaskelainen, who has been in the country illegally since 1999, was hit with an immigration detainer following her arrest in New Smyrna, Fla., earlier this month on battery and domestic violence charges.

Jaaskelainen, 54, allegedly hurled coffee at the mother, infant and their dog after becoming enraged that they had strolled past her property with their pooch off-leash, according to the Volusia Sheriff’s Office. 

Jaaskelainen has been in the country illegally since 1999, according to DHS. Volusia County Sheriff

A police affidavit noted the dog, a Dalmatian, was indeed not on a leash but “following closely alongside (the mother and son),” according to News 6 Orlando. 

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The Finnish national first threw coffee at the dog, which led to an argument during which Jaaskelainen tossed another cup of joe at the mother and her 11-month-old son, police said.  

“It was all over my clothes, and all over him,” the victim, Kelly Brisell, told WESH 2 News. “It was over his eyes, nose and temple. Thank God the coffee wasn’t hot.”

Cops observed dried coffee on the mother, child and dog when they arrived at the scene, and Jaaskelainen “confirmed that she had thrown coffee on (the mother’s) dog and denied intentionally throwing coffee on (the mother) and her baby,” according to the affidavit. 

Jaaskelainen defended her actions by claiming the unleashed dog was upsetting her own dog, and argued that the family and their pet were on her property.

The enraged homeowner first entered the country on a tourist visa in April 1999. 

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She was required to leave the US by July 1999, but flouted federal law and opted to remain in the country illegally for the last 26 years.


ICE agent
Jaaskelainen was hit with an ICE detainer after being charged with assaulting the mother and child. AP

The detainer ensures that Jaaskelainen is “not released back into American neighborhoods,” according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). 

“For over TWO DECADES, Jaaskelainen has been in our country illegally, skirting the law without consequence,” DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement Monday. “Now, a baby, a mother, and a dog have been assaulted by her.”

 “She is now facing charges for battery and domestic violence,” McLaughlin continued. “ICE lodged an arrest detainer to ensure she can never victimize another American family. 

“President Trump and Secretary Noem will not allow illegal aliens to terrorize American citizens.”

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