Florida Supreme Court Issues Reprimand to Kenneth Chesebro, Does Not Suspend or Disbar

The Florida Supreme Court has ruled against suspending or disbarring Kenneth Chesebro, a former lawyer for Donald Trump, who pleaded guilty to a felony charge related to the 'fake electors' scheme aimed at overturning Joe Biden's 2020 election victory. In a 6-1 decision, the court issued a public reprimand, mandated Chesebro to attend The Florida Bar’s Ethics School, and required him to pay $2,229.37 in costs. The court lifted Chesebro’s felony suspension, reinstating him to practice law in Florida immediately. A court-appointed referee had recommended a 30-day suspension, but the majority of the court rejected this, noting that Chesebro did not dispute his involvement in filing a false certificate in federal court. Justice Jorge Labarga dissented, arguing that the punishment did not reflect the severity of Chesebro's actions, which he described as a significant breach of professional ethics. Labarga emphasized that the submission of fraudulent documents to a court represents a serious ethical violation. This ruling contrasts with decisions in other states, such as New York, where Chesebro was disbarred for similar conduct. The Florida Supreme Court's decision reflects a different approach, particularly under the influence of Governor Ron DeSantis's appointees.