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Embattled Orange County judge fights to stay on the bench

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Orange County Circuit Judge Kim Shepard faced tough questions during a hearing Friday over allegations she used a 20-year-old newspaper endorsement during a recent election.

A panel from the Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission questioned Shepard over campaign fliers she sent out during the 2014 judicial election.

She is accused of using partial quotes from a 1994 newspaper endorsement for the Florida House of Representatives to make it appear to be an endorsement for the 2014 election.

Under direct questioning from the panel's attorney, Shepard denied allegations that the campaign fliers were confusing or misleading.

“I don’t believe it was misleading, obviously,” she said.

A witness during the hearing, Orlando attorney Don Lykkebak, disagreed, charging that Shepard’s “misrepresentation is obviously deceit and a lie.”

The panel will decide on a disciplinary recommendation in 2-3 months. It could recommend removing her from the bench, some other type of discipline or nothing at all.

The Florida Supreme Court has final say on what action, if any, will be taken against Shepard.