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Renke should resign

Now accused of taking thousands of dollars in illegal contributions from his father, the circuit judge should not stay on the bench.

How many times does Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Judge John Renke III have to face mounting allegations of campaign malfeasance before he does the right thing and resigns from the bench?

On April 8, he gets another chance. The Judicial Qualifications Commission has summoned him to Orlando to explain why he shouldn't be suspended without pay while the case against him proceeds. He should take the opportunity to relinquish his robe for participating in banned political activity the JQC correctly described as "bringing the judiciary into disrepute."

So far, the explanations for his behavior have been muted, though his father and campaign manager, John Renke II, continues to plead innocence. The younger Renke's legal counsel also said the judge will fight the allegations. That is odd, considering the judge already acknowledged most of the misdeeds and expressed remorse during past testimony before the JQC.

In recently amending its complaint against Renke III regarding his 2002 election tactics, the JQC charged the candidate accepted more than $95,000 in illegal campaign contributions from his father. The donations, identified on campaign documents as personal loans from the candidate, drew scrutiny because Renke III listed his 2001 salary at $53,402, about 80 percent of it coming from contract work for his father. Later, the newly elected judge listed his 2002 income from his father at more than $166,000.

The elder Renke maintains the salary boost came from settlements of class action lawsuits. Excuse the skepticism, but it is difficult to fathom a 33-year-old attorney tripling his salary, then investing the windfall in a race that would require him to take a pay cut of more than $40,000 even if it provides job security.

If the JQC is correct, the Renke camp has told a grievous lie. That would follow a pattern. During the 2002 campaign against Declan Mansfield, Renke III portrayed himself as a seasoned litigator, even though he had little courtroom experience; a sitting judge, even though he was a first-time candidate; and a recipient of endorsements from Clearwater firefighters, even though no such backing existed. Most notably, Renke III participated in partisan political activities, violating judicial rules governing nonpartisan elections.

The JQC and Renke earlier agreed on a penalty: a one-month suspension, $20,000 fine and public reprimand. The Florida Supreme Court wisely rejected the settlement last summer and remanded the case for further action "in the interest of justice."

The renewed investigation brought the amended complaint earlier this month and a demand that Renke explain himself to the investigative panel, which must make a recommendation to the Supreme Court. Absent his resignation, the JQC should recommed his dismissal. It is the most appropriate way to remedy the unsavory electioneering.

[Last modified February 28, 2005, 01:04:17]