Stringer, sentencing judge served on same board

The federal judge who is set to sentence a former state appeals court judge for fraud served on a law school board with the defendant, according to a court filing.

U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Kovachevich was assigned the case of former Judge Thomas E. Stringer after another federal judge, Virginia M. Hernandez Covington, recused herself citing a potential conflict of interest.

Stringer is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to a charge of bank fraud in connection with his financial dealings with a stripper. He admitted helping Christy Yamanaka hide her financial assets from creditors.

Stringer retired from the 2nd District Court of Appeal in February as he was being investigated by the state Judicial Qualifications Commission.

The charge against Stringer carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison, but he is expected to get probation. He has also agreed to forfeit $222,000.

Kovachevich filed a notice 10 days ago stating she "has served, and presently serves, as an honorary member of the Board of Overseers of Stetson University College of Law." Until May 2008, Stringer "had been an active member of the same board."

The judge added she "recalls no specific contact with defendant other than acknowledgment in social greeting."

Kovachevich stated she was prepared to move forward in the case unless the prosecution or defendant filed an objection within 10 days of the notice. No objections were filed, so it appears Kovachevich will sentence Stringer.

No sentencing date has been set.

In recusing herself from the case, Covington noted that she had served with Stringer on the 2nd DCA and wanted "to avoid even the appearance of impropriety."

According to the charge against Stringer, he lied on a loan application to purchase a house in Hawaii, saying the money used in the down payment was his, when it was, in fact, Yamanaka's.

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 into his bank accounts.