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United States. District Judge Mark Walker said the new governor, Ron DeSantis, was to give the former Broward County election supervisor, Brenda Snipes, an "interesting opportunity to be heard" about his suspension by March 31st. (AP Photo / Wilfredo Lee)
Former Broward County election supervisor Brenda Snipes may well be redeemed, as Florida federal judge said Wednesday that former incumbent governor and Senator Rick Scott violated his constitutional rights when he was suspended and "vilified" without allowing him his own case.
US District Judge Mark Walker said the new governor, Ron DeSantis, was to give Snipes a "significant opportunity to be heard" about his suspension before March 31st.
Snipes was criticized during the controversial recount that followed the 2018 elections and a legally binding recount. in tight races for governor and US Senate.
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In the aftermath of the November elections, Snipes announced his resignation on January 4, but Scott immediately suspended him. . Snipes then tried to cancel his resignation and challenged the governor's suspension as "malicious" and politically motivated.
Walker ruled that Scott's decision was an "effective termination" and violated Snipes' procedural rights. The judge also stated that Scott's decision suspending Snipes contained "falsehoods".
Walker, however, does not have the power to reinstate Snipes, stating that the court "did not determine what would be the end result or what should be." [19659005] Snipes sued Scott and the Florida Senate, controlled by the GOP. The prosecution named the Senate because the Republican leader of that chamber said he did not have time to investigate the charges against Snipes before his resignation took effect. Florida law requires the Senate to remove or reinstate county officials suspended by the governor.
million. Snipes was the main election leader in Broward County since 2003, at the time of the elections. Jeb Bush named it. She had been elected three times and her current term was not to end until 2020.
Scott's lawyers had argued that the governor had the power to dismiss her. Neither Scott nor DeSantis immediately responded to requests for comment on the decision.
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Scott has suspended Snipes for misconduct, incompetence and negligence in the performance of his duties. the general advocate to take his place. In his executive order, Scott cited problems with the count, including reports that more than 2,000 ballots were misplaced.
Snipes' lawyer, Burnadette Norris-Weeks, claimed that some of the problems cited by Scott were not caused by his client.
Daniel Nordby, who is Scott's General Counsel, said the Governor had acted because he "felt that Broward County residents deserved an Election Supervisor" who could prepare for competently in the upcoming spring municipal elections. "
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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