Source: Judge Jay Hurley Made False Claim About Endorsements

By Thomas Francis Fri., Apr. 23 2010 at 1:01 PM

Categories: Broward, Politics

Pin It

Hurley

Last night at a candidates' forum of the Pine Island Ridge Democratic Club in Davie, Broward County Circuit Judge John "Jay" Hurley claimed to have received the endorsements of the county's public defender and the chairman of the county's Democratic Party, according to a reliable source.

A person who attended the meeting had already told Broward Public Defender Howard Finkelstein of Hurley's endorsement claim when I reached Finkelstein this afternoon. "Absolutely not," he said to the question whether he'd given an endorsement to Hurley.

"I like Jay," said Finkelstein. "He's a nice guy who's doing a good job, as best I can tell. But no, I didn't endorse him. I don't endorse any judges -- not even the candidates who work in my office."

Hurley also is alleged to have claimed the endorsement of Broward Democratic Chairman Mitch Ceasar, which would be strange considering Hurley was appointed to the bench by Republican Charlie Crist. Ceasar did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

I also left a message with Hurley's judicial office. Hurley's treasurer, Ed McGee, was not in the office when I called a few minutes ago.

Hurley is being challenged by Fort Lauderdale attorney Melissa Minsk Donoho.

Like this Story?

Sign up for the Weekly Newsletter: Our weekly feature stories, movie reviews, calendar picks and more - minus the newsprint and sent directly to your inbox.

Tags:

Jay Hurley, judicial races

Write Comment

Email to Friend

Print Article

Related Content

Once a liar, always a liar!
It's quite simple. Hurley has no business using Finkelstein's name in any way whatsoever without his explicit permission. He implied that he had his support. Even if he does, which doesn't appear to be true, you can't say it unless you ask the person, "do I have your support?" And unless you are a scumbag, you then also ask, "may I say that in public?" Absent that, you are being deceitful.
>> his service to our country as a Naval Officer. He was a member of the Village People, sailing the 7 Seas...
What is the alternative to Hurley? I don't believe his opponent has the necessary criminal legal experience, certainly not in comparison to Hurley. Listen my friends. I've already said I am on the opposite end of the political spectrum and would not support him as a legislator. However, he is not running for a legislative position. He is running to be retained as Judge and he while he may not be considered one of the elite criminal defense attorneys, my understanding is he was very competent as a criminal defense attorney, and is equally competent as a judge. Further, i don't find his so called lies to be material or significant. Even though I am a liberal, I respect his service to our country as a Naval Officer. Overall, in my humble opinion, this is a slam dunk. He deserves to be retained.
@Al True to the little things, true to the big things...
It seems to me that the bogus negative comments here against Judge Hurley are clearly intended to serve to help his opponent. Talk about lies, some people will say anything to advance their own nefarious agenda. Innocuous comments at a meeting with less than 20 people in attendance are being blown way out of proportion, to what end? To hurt a very good sitting judge who is doing an excellent job for the people of Broward County. I don't know if he's a Democrat or Republican, Conservative or Liberal, but I believe Judge Jay Hurley deserves to continue.
Where did Finkelstien say he even supported Hurley? "I like Jay," said Finkelstein. "He's a nice guy who's doing a good job, as best I can tell. But no, I didn't endorse him. I don't endorse any judges -- not even the candidates who work in my office." Finkelstein didnt even fully say he was convinced he does a good job? Support? At best Howard said he heard some good things about him, thats a far cry from support. Virgil, Hurley lied, if you are comfortable with a Judge who is so brazen to lie about supoprt from people who have not given him their support, than what else is he capable of lying about? As the New Times has shown Hurley just continues to lie anytime he feels like it. He tried to lie about not calling BSO to expose who blogged about his wedding. He lied about how and if he paid to ride a private Jet to football game. He had people spam blog for him and it came from the building where his treasurer is located. He lied about knowledge though the posts were very self serving in his favor. How many lies does a person, let alone a Judge have to say before his credibility is shot?
Virgil You're allowed to say "support" but you can't say "endorse." It's that simple.
Virgil Fuck that. Bring back Judge Wapner or Dredd...
@ The Facts: Written like an attorney. The word "support" in the political world is synonymous with "endorsement". What would be the alternative? He supports me but doesn't endorse me? You attorneys are overrated as wordsmiths. Havng said that, I'm a progressive on many issues, but will likely be voting for Jay Hurley. He has a history of representing the citizens of Broward County as a criminal defense attorney, and I've heard from very reliable sources that he is doing a very competent job on the bench. He is very fair and has a good temperment. I hate the f'ing GOP and all of that hypocritical social values bullshit they continue to spew, a standard they rarely live up to in their own lives. However, he's not running for the Senate. He's doing a fine job on the bench and deserves to continue. How's that for an endorsement? I hate his politics but respect the job he is doing.
I saw the speeches, and Hurley said he had the support of Finklestein and Ceasar, not that he was endorsed. I wonder if your "reliable source" is also running for Judge. Based on what Finklestein said in your article, Judge Hurley was correct, he certainly has his support.
I think Team Hurley should reach out to the Flowbee people... From their website, we learn "Uses your standard home vacuum to deliver a neat and efficient home haircut solution." I think you will all agree that Hurley's hair is "neat and efficient".
At the end of his speech he talked about how the Club was raising money for a sick child. In dramatic fashion he pulled out of his wallet, opened it up really slow and slapped down $1 yes a dollar bill to help out the sick child. You are a real humanitarian Judge.
Garrett's my master!!!
It's foot in mouth syndrome.