Ex-judge pleads guilty in stripper fraud case

Former state appeals court Judge Thomas E. Stringer publicly admitted Thursday 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 under the terms of a deal he signed in July. He likely will avoid prison.

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 even to serve on a jury or vote.

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

Stringer, 65, was told he may not run for public office and could lose his license to practice law.

U.S. Magistrate Mark Pizzo said Stringer's pension could be affected by the conviction.

Stringer retired from the bench in February while being investigated by the state Judicial Qualifications Commission.

The federal charge states he lied on a loan application to buy 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 O'Neill said his office approved the probation recommendation "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 called Stringer "an outstanding judge and public servant. This ... 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 allowed Yamanaka to deposit tens of thousands of dollars in his bank accounts.

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

Pizzo said it probably would be at least 80 days before Stringer is sentenced.

Stringer was allowed to remain free and did not have to post bail.