Broward County Judge Jay Hurley has refunded the illegal campaign contributions he accepted before becoming a candidate for office. REDBROWARD reported Hurley violated Florida elections laws by accepting campaign contributions before he became a candidate for elected office. Hurley filed his Form DS-DE 9 with the Broward Supervisor of Elections Office (SOE) on April 10, 2015.

However, campaign financial reports filed show Judge Hurley was accepting contributions as far back as February 2015.

In campaign reports filed today with the Broward Supervisor of Elections Office (SOE), the Hurley campaign issued refunds to George Cable, Lawrence Wolk, Mark J. McCarthy and Judge Hurley himself.

The Hurley campaign accepted a $1000 contribution from Judge Hurley on February 3, 2015. This contribution was made more than two months before Hurley filed his Form DS-DE 9 with SOE.

The other contributions were also made before the April 10th filing of Hurley’s Form DS-DE 9.

Earlier this week, REDBROWARD reported how seriously The Florida Supreme Court viewed campaign violations by judges.

In April, the Judicial Qualifying Commission (JQC) recommended formal proceedings against Indian River Circuit Court Judge Victoria Griffin for violations of Florida Statutes 106.021 (1) which requires a candidate to file for office before appointing a campaign treasurer, opening a campaign bank account and accepting any money. Judge Griffin admitted to loaning her campaign $5,900 on May 1, 2014. On the same day, her treasurer issued a $5,803.20 check to cover the campaign filing fee.  Griffin filed the required form DS-DE9 on May 2, 2014, the last day candidates could qualify for office.

Griffin admitted her mistake, claiming it was an error made to comply with the filing fee requirement. Griffin agreed to face a public reprimand from the State’s highest court in September.

While Griffin made her error as qualifying for office ended, Judge Hurley accepted money months and months before the deadline.

Did Judge Hurley admit guilt by issuing the refunds?

Will his refunds keep the JQC and Florida Supreme Court from punishing Hurley?

Will Hurley speak to media about this?