Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies
Challenger Kandice Friesen has accused incumbent Pinellas County Judge Karl Grube of unfair campaign practices.
By WILLIAM R. LEVESQUE
© St. Petersburg Times, published August 24, 2000
The candidate challenging Pinellas County Judge Karl Grube filed a complaint Wednesday against the judge, accusing him of unfair campaign practices.
Kandice Friesen, an assistant public defender, filed identical complaints against Grube with the state Judicial Qualifications Commission and the Pinellas County Citizens for Fair Campaign Practices.
In a letter to the two groups, Friesen said:
On Aug. 18, Grube told the audience at a St. Petersburg Bar Association function that he thought she was seeking office because Friesen had failed in efforts seeking appointment to the bench. Friesen said she has never sought appointment to any office.
In an interview, Grube disputed Friesen, saying it was his understanding she had once applied. He did not know when.
At three separate events, Grube held up the blank side of one of Friesen's campaign fliers and told the audience his opponent had no qualifications. In fact, Friesen said he did not show the side listing her qualifications.
Grube said both sides of his flier listed qualifications, while only one side of Friesen's did. He said his comment was fair.
Grube wore his judicial robes at a campaign function while speaking, using the prestige of his office to further his personal interest. Friesen said this is a violation of judicial canons.
Grube said he was trying to make a point with the audience "that judges should take their robes off and get into the community and do things to make it a better and safer place." He wore the robe to make that point, he said.
Grube filed a grievance against her with the Florida Bar relating to a campaign matter using his official judicial stationary. Friesen said that is improper.
Grube said judges are bound to report violations when they see them, whether it's during a campaign or not. Judges do this in their official capacity, so using office stationary is proper, he said.
The grievance with the Florida Bar relates to a $2,000 campaign contribution her campaign received from her husband's printing business. Friesen said she intended to donate her own money to her campaign but mistakenly used an account for a business for which she is a co-owner.
Campaign contributions from individuals or businesses are limited to $500. But candidates can give to their campaign as much money as they like.
Friesen returned the check to the business and then contributed the $2,000 from a personal account. The bar grievance is pending.
The JQC is an agency that acts as a watchdog for judicial behavior.
Citizens for Fair Campaign Practices is a voluntary, unofficial bipartisan committee that seeks to eliminate misleading campaigning. While it can criticize actions it perceives as misleading, the group has no official power.