TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Ex-judge avoids jail, gets probation

ADVERTISEMENT

By ELAINE SILVESTRINI

esilvestrini@tampatrib.com

Published: November 14, 2009

Updated: 11/14/2009 12:24 am

TAMPA - Former state appeals court Judge Thomas E. Stringer told a federal judge Friday he destroyed his career and position as community service leader by "one act of bad judgment."

But Stringer avoided any prison time for committing federal bank fraud to help a stripper he had known for years. Instead, he was sentenced to a year of probation, ordered to forfeit $222,000 and fined $250.

The former judge's professed dedication to community service will now be mandatory, at least for awhile. As part of his sentence, he was ordered to perform 150 hours of community service.

During the brief sentencing hearing, the prosecutor, judge and defense attorneys all agreed Stringer had been punished enough - losing his judgeship, his law license, his reputation and the forfeiture money.

"Do I think Judge Stringer will commit another crime?" Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert O'Neill said. "No, your honor, I don't."

O'Neill stressed that Stringer never sought to use his position as a judge in the commission of the crime.

Before he was sentenced, Stringer spoke about his career and community service.

"By one misstep, one act of bad judgment, I have destroyed all of that," he said.

Stringer, 65, told U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Kovachevich, "I want you to know how deeply sorry I am for my conduct."

His lawyer, John F. Lauro, argued for a sentence with no prison time, no probation and a minimal fine.

"This is indeed a sad day for the Tampa Bay community, the legal community, as well as Mr. Stringer and his family," Lauro said. "At every stage of his life ... he has tried to give back to the community."

"This is a sad day for the profession and a sad day for this court," Kovachevich said. But she agreed with O'Neill that the crime involved "a private matter," and not Stringer's judicial position.

Kovachevich told Stringer he is "to be commended for having admitted your guilt. I know it was a tough thing to do, but it's the right thing to do."

After he was sentenced, Stringer kissed his wife and was embraced by other family members and supporters.

Stringer graduated from Stetson Law School in 1974 and worked as an assistant state attorney and in private practice before his appointment as a Hillsborough County judge in 1984. Four years later, he was named to the circuit court bench. In 1999, he was appointed to the 2nd District Court of Appeal, a position from which he stepped down in February as investigators were looking into his conduct.

Stringer's career began to unravel after stripper Christy Yamanaka told News Channel 8 and The Tampa Tribune about her 13-year relationship with the married judge. She said the relationship had been sexual, but Stringer denied that.

Yamanaka said the judge helped her hide assets from creditors at a time when she had court judgments against her totaling about $315,000.

Stringer has said Yamanaka's money went into bank accounts he opened in his name because she had terrible credit.

Stringer purchased a house in Hawaii with Yamanaka. He left her name off the mortgage and provided false information on the loan application. Yamanaka said Stringer cheated her out of money on the sale of the Hawaii house. Stringer has said he gave her more than her share.

It was the lie on the mortgage application that formed the basis for the federal charge to which Stringer pleaded guilty.

News Channel 8 reporter Steve Andrews contributed to this report. Reporter Elaine Silvestrini can be reached at (813) 259-7837.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT