Charles Cofer, the former Duval County Judge hoping to unseat Public Defender Matt Shirk, says recent Florida Ethics Commission findings show his opponent isn't fit for office.
The commission found probable cause that Shirk violated Florida ethics laws.
The commission said this week Shirk misused his office to hire three women based on their appearance, drank alcohol on city property and divulged a client’s private information to a documentary film crew.
The findings could trigger a hearing and Shirk could be fined $10,000 per charge or asked to step down if found guilty. His opponent Charles Cofer said instead of awaiting the results, voters should take matters into their own hands.
“We are just still mystified why Mr. Shirk still maintains he should be entitled to remain in that office after the grand jury indicated that he’s unfit to serve and that he should resign,” he said.
A grand jury investigation recommended Shirk step down two years ago, but he refused, and Governor Rick Scott said voters should decide instead of removing him. At that time, Shirk apologized for his inappropriate behavior, including sexual messages he sent the three female employees. He also issued a written apology this week and referred all interview requests to his lawyer, Gene Nichols, who did not immediately respond for comment.
But Cofer said it’s too little too late.
“I served as a county judge for 17 years and I had a lot of people come in front of me who had done bad things and many of them apologized, many of them had asked for forgiveness,” he said. “I came to understand that I have to accept those things on face value and not question their sincerity, but apologies and asking for forgiveness isn't the same thing as accepting the consequences.”
Cofer said he hopes news of Shirk’s violations tips the scales in his favor this August.
