How will case affect judge's legacy?

Thomas Stringer was known in legal circles as a brilliant judge who presided over his courtroom with grace and good humor.

As one of the first black men to become a Hillsborough County circuit court judge, he was considered a pioneer and a rising star. But at the zenith of his career Stringer fell - hard - from the lofty heights he had reached.

In February, he retired from his post on the 2nd District Court of Appeals amid allegations about his financial dealings with stripper Christy Yamanaka. On Thursday, Stringer agreed to plead guilty to federal charges that he helped Yamanaka.

How that will affect Stringer's legacy depends on whom you ask. Many long-time colleagues and friends were saddened to hear about Stringer's admission of guilt. One felt betrayed.

"He had the winds of the community in his sails," Tampa attorney Delano Stewart said. "But he knew better. He violated the trust of the people in the community and the people who placed trust in him."

Stewart said he has known Stringer since the former Air Force captain arrived in Tampa. Stringer's decision to help Yamanaka tainted the integrity of the justice system and "undermined what I do every damn day," Stewart said.

"It's about integrity," Stewart said. "Judges should be held to the same standards as everybody else."

Judge Stevan T. Northcutt of the 2nd District Court of Appeal said nothing Stringer did on the bench hinted that he broke laws in his personal life.

"All of this comes as a shock to us," Northcutt said. "He was a good judge. He was a pleasure to work with."

Stringer began his legal career as a prosecutor, after becoming the first black man to graduate from Stetson University College of Law. He spent two years as a prosecutor, then eight in private practice before Gov. Bob Graham appointed him to a Hillsborough County judgeship.

In 1987, Gov. Bob Martinez appointed him to Hillsborough County's circuit court.

Kamilah Perry, the president of the George Edgecomb Bar Association, Tampa's largest black bar association, said Stringer is still respected and that his guilty plea wouldn't tarnish his legacy.

"Recent events don't take away from all he accomplished," Perry said. "He's a groundbreaking judge."

Stringer is a role model, Tampa attorney Julie Sneed said, having mentored an entire generation of young lawyers and remaining involved with aspiring attorneys at Stetson University, local high school students and other youths in the community.

Tampa attorney Eddie Suarez said he remembers Stringer as judge who was unselfish and respectful.

"It was just sad to me more than anything," Suarez said about Stringer's upcoming guilty plea. "He had such a brilliant career. My heart goes out to his family."