TAMPA -- The agency that regulates Florida judges has closed its investigation into Circuit Judge Chet Tharpe without taking action, the judge's lawyer said Thursday.

The chairman of the Judicial Qualifications Commission notified Tharpe in a letter Thursday that it had closed an investigation it began earlier this year.

The JQC examined whether Tharpe used his influence to get his bailiff, Blanche Gonzalez, reassigned from the courthouse to the jail.

The JQC's decision to close the case means it found that Tharpe had not violated any canons of judicial ethics.

"He's relieved and pleased," said Norman Cannella Sr., the judge's attorney.

Report: Head injuries killed wreck victim

TAMPA -- Autopsy results show a Miami man died from severe head injuries when his Chevy Blazer flipped off the Howard Frankland Bridge early Wednesday after being struck by a car.

Jordan Joanides, 35, had skull fractures and brain injuries after the Blazer rolled several times and flipped into the bay, said officials with the Hillsborough County Medical Examiner's Office.

He was not wearing a seat belt. An Adventure Island lifeguard who happened upon the scene jumped 20 feet into the bay in an attempt to save Joanides, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said Joanides was talking on his car phone when his car was struck in the eastbound lanes by a Plymouth Fury driven by 37-year-old Ralph Green of Tampa. Police charged Green with vehicular homicide, DUI manslaughter and driving with a suspended license.

Green has been released from jail on bail.

Five indicted in cocaine smuggling case

TAMPA -- Five men captured off the coast of Colombia in a 30-foot boat were indicted Thursday by the U.S. Attorney's Office on cocaine smuggling charges.

Jesus Quinones Portocarrero, Jose Murillo-Cachimbo, Pedro Aguirre, Christino Mendoza-Gomez and Gustavo Rivas Gomez all have been charged with conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to distribute and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.

If convicted, they face 10 years to life in prison and a fine of up to $4-million.

The men were caught June 9 in a "go-fast" boat in the Pacific ocean, 700 miles west of Colombia, the indictment said.

Officials said a U.S. Coast Guard airplane spotted the boat and alerted the Navy, which chased the suspects. As they fled, they dumped bales of cocaine overboard, the indictment said. A half-ton of cocaine was seized, according to the indictment.

The men are being held without bail in a Hillsborough County jail.

Institute launches education program

ST. PETERSBURG -- The Tampa Bay Research Institute on Thursday announced it has started a monthly health education program aimed at helping prevent chronic diseases, such as cancer, heart disease and obesity.

The institute is a private, non-profit organization in St. Petersburg involved in basic biomedical research of cancer, AIDS and Hepatitis C. At a news conference Thursday, institute leaders said they have formed an education committee consisting of institute staff, doctors, educators and representatives of health advocacy groups.

The group will meet monthly to choose a health topic to address, then send press releases to Tampa Bay area media. It also will offer lectures from members of its education committee and speakers' bureau to schools, seniors groups and corporations.

The group will take July off, then convene in August to choose the first topic.

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