SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — A Seminole County judge, already in trouble over Facebook communications with litigants, appears to be headed for more trouble.
Circuit Judge Linda Schoonover has not been to work for several weeks, without explanation.
Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Head Judge John Harris said Schoonover's absence is wreaking havoc.
PDF: Letter from Chief Judge to Judge Schoonover
Channel 9's Kathi Belich was told that court cases in Seminole County went until 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, in part because of Schoonover's absence.
Schoonover has already faced problems for her Facebook communications in 2013 with parties involved in cases she was hearing.
Channel 9 reported on one woman's complaint that when she refused to accept Schoonover's Facebook friend request, she ended up losing big in her divorce case.
Florida's Judicial Qualifications Commission said Schoonover is using delay tactics in that case, which is scheduled for an August hearing.
Now, she's not even coming to work.
Schoonover has not been at work in juvenile court for more than a month. The chief judge wants to know what's going on and when she's coming back.
The online docketing system shows that her court calendar is open indefinitely.
Harris wrote her a scathing letter last week, scolding her for not checking on her serious cases and for not thanking the judges who are picking up her slack, specifically pointing out Judge Susan Stacy, who is new to the bench. He also criticized Schoonover for not doing work outside the office.
Harris said Schoonover has ignored his request for a weekly update and has now issued a directive for biweekly updates starting Thursday, saying failure to do so could be considered "neglect of duty" and could result in her being reported to the Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court.
WFTV legal analyst Belvin Perry, former Ninth Judicial Circuit Chief Judge, said it could lead to suspension without pay for Schoonover, an action only the Florida Supreme Court can take.
Schoonover is paid about $145,000 a year.
Previous Story: 9 Investigates Seminole judge accused of letting Facebook sway her ruling
WFTV
