A Putnam County judge, appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis last year, is now facing accusations of abusing her judicial authority. The Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission has formally charged Judge Anna Maria Gennusa, pointing to a pattern of improper use of her contempt powers.
In one case, Gennusa is accused of making inappropriate remarks and acting unlawfully when she jailed a defendant and handcuffed the alleged victim for three hours before eventually releasing them.
Another charge involves sentencing a mother to 10 days in jail for contempt after an argument during a truancy hearing. The mother had explained that her children’s absences were due to the psychological trauma from their father murdering their grandfather, a tragedy witnessed by one of the children. Gennusa reportedly dismissed these reasons, stating they were not a valid excuse for missing school.
The commission emphasized the gravity of using direct criminal contempt and criticized Gennusa’s “unwarranted and improper” application of this authority. Although Gennusa acknowledged procedural errors, she attempted to justify her actions by noting her lack of attendance at the Florida Judicial College.
In its notice to the Florida Supreme Court, the commission expressed concerns about Gennusa’s suitability to serve as a judge, citing her “casual and illegal use of contempt power.” Gennusa, who practiced law for 29 years before her appointment in April 2023, now faces potential disciplinary measures.
