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Ex-judge pleads guilty to federal bank fraud

Tribune photo by SCOTT ISKOWITZ

Former judge Thomas E. Stringer walks out of the federal courthouse in Tampa.

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By ELAINE SILVESTRINI | The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 6, 2009

Updated: 08/06/2009 11:07 am

TAMPA - Former state appeals court Judge Thomas E. Stringer publicly admitted this morning that he is guilty of bank fraud for helping a stripper hide her financial assets from creditors.

Stringer, who would not talk to reporters after his federal court hearing, pleaded guilty to the charge under the terms of a plea agreement he signed last month.

As a judge on the 2nd District Court of Appeal, Stringer reviewed the decisions of lower-ranking judges. With his conviction, he will lose the right to even serve on a jury or vote.

For the first time in a long time, the former judge's title was gone, and during the 27-minute hearing, he was called "Mr. Stringer."

Stringer was told he also may not run for public office and could lose his law license. U.S. Magistrate Mark Pizzo said Stringer's pension may be affected by his conviction.

However, he is not likely to go to prison, at least if the sentencing judge agrees with the recommendation of federal prosecutors.

Although bank fraud can result in up to 30 years behind bars, the prosecution has agreed to recommend that his sentence be calculated in a way that results in probation and a minimal fine. Stringer also agreed to forfeit $222,000.

Stringer, 65, retired from the bench in February as he was being investigated by the state Judicial Qualifications Commission.

According to the federal charge, he lied on a loan application to purchase a house in Hawaii, saying the money used for the down payment was his, when it was from stripper Christy Yamanaka.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert E. O'Neill said his office approved the recommendation for probation "because in fraud cases like this the loss amount is what increases the punishment."

"And there is no loss amount in this case," he said. "They made a profit on the sale of the house so the bank did not suffer any pecuniary loss."

Defense attorney John Lauro said, "Judge Stringer has been an outstanding judge and public servant. This incident was a private mistake that has been fully resolved."

Authorities began looking at Stringer after a series of reports in March 2008 by News Channel 8 and The Tampa Tribune revealed he had allowed Yamanaka to deposit tens of thousands of dollars into his bank accounts.

Stringer told Pizzo that he is being treated for depression and anxiety as a result of the case against him.

Asked his education level, Stringer responded, "I have a [law] degree from Stetson College of Law."

Asked how he wished to plead to the charge, he said, "I plead guilty, your honor."

Pizzo said Stringer's sentencing will probably be at least 80 days away.

Stringer was allowed to remain free without bail.

Reporter Elaine Silvestrini can be reached at (813) 259-7837.

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