On August 11, 2026, a lengthy complaint spanning 870 paragraphs and 269 pages with 63 causes of action was decided by Judge Anne Leigh Gaylord Moe in the Middle District of Florida. The case involves Mr. Brown, an autistic former judicial candidate who ran unsuccessfully for Circuit Judge in Florida.
During his campaign, Brown engaged in what he describes as "protected political speech, including statements on social media and on his campaign website" targeting his opponent, a sitting Circuit Judge. His conduct and statements during and after the election led to seven complaints filed with the Florida Bar.
Brown was accused of various violations related to judicial election rules, including making disparaging social media statements about his opponent, inappropriate comments about another attorney's paralegal during court, alleging a "discreet meeting" arranged through a dating site with the sitting judge, sending unprofessional emails to opposing counsel, improper conduct at a deposition, staring at a complainant during a public event, making statements about the opponent's wife, publicly announcing personal views on disputed public policy while committing to follow the law, harassing supporters of his opponent, comparing a female's pose to that of a popular musician, expressing loss of faith in the court system, and disparaging an Orange County Sheriff's deputy responding to his conduct.
Brown contends that his statements are protected under the First Amendment and sought accommodations to appear in person before the Bar and grievance committee due to his autism.
The complaint was noted for its extraordinary level of detail, including descriptions of three comic books authored by Brown. Judge Moe highlighted procedural requirements that claims be stated in numbered paragraphs limited to single sets of circumstances, implying the complaint's length and detail necessitated repleader.
The case underscores tensions between judicial conduct rules, free speech protections, and disability accommodations within the context of judicial elections in Florida.
Sources
- Reason, Eugene Volokh, "In Its 870 Paragraphs, 269 Pages, and 63 Causes of Action," the Complaint, August 11, 2026.
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