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Judge: Thompson violated Florida Bar rules

Referee recommends controversial lawyer be found guilty of 27 separate transgressions; Thompson claims judge has a grudge.
By Brendan Sinclair, GameSpot
Posted May 21, 2008 3:40 pm PT

Florida attorney Jack Thompson has made a name for himself crusading against violent games, to varying degrees of success. He helped author a Louisiana law that would have banned the sale of obscene games to minors (it was signed into law but eventually struck down), and he forced Take-Two Interactive to show the PlayStation 2 game Bully to a federal judge before release in order to prove it wasn't a public nuisance (the judge ruled it wasn't).

Along the way he also ran afoul of the Florida Bar, which accused him of violating professional standards of conduct, disobeying a judge's orders, and other transgressions. Earlier this week, a referee in the Bar's case against Thompson concluded that the lawyer was guilty of 27 rule violations, including improperly practicing law in Alabama, making false statements to tribunals, and disparaging and humiliating litigants and other lawyers, according to a report on Law.com. The referee, Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Dava Tunis, did not explain the reasons behind her recommendations, but a sanctions hearing in the matter is set for June 4.

Thompson is trying to have Tunis removed from the case, arguing that she has a personal grudge against him. According to a Florida State Attorney's memo filed by Thompson in a separate complaint against the Florida Supreme Court, Tunis' signature on a 2000 loyalty oath was forged. The report said Tunis had never been presented with the oath in the first place and, upon discovering the problem, signed a valid oath in February. Thompson argues that Tunis' recommendations that he be found guilty are intended to punish him because he "blew the whistle" on her and that any orders she issued prior to the February signing are now void.

Meanwhile, this week Thompson also obtained a stay of proceedings in another suit he had outstanding against the Florida Bar. Saying he hasn't had time to practice law given his fight with the Bar and personal issues, Thompson said he offered a compromise to the Bar. According to Thompson, he offered to spend the next two years representing only indigent clients to avoid further legal wrangling with the Bar, but he has received no response to the proposal.

"These people don't want a resolution," Thompson said in a court filing. "They want Thompson's career, or what is left of it."

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322 Comments

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alistica

Sonic DBZRACER
"A Bar? As in he was drinking? If he was, oh man, this is rich. Jack thinks video games are corrupt and can spoil minds (Kills brains cells), but alcohol does that for you, and a 100 times worse than any video game. In fact, video games don't kill brain cells, but alcohol does. YOUR SCREWED JACKY BOY!!! GTFO OUT OF MY COUNTRY JACK THOMPS.O.B.!! D:"

You must be retarded arn't you?

Posted Jun 5, 2008 7:57 am PT
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Unknown_Legend

He did it to himself.

Posted Jun 1, 2008 10:51 am PT
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DragonMaskD

This is one of the most beautiful things I've heard in my whole life. Now we just have to see if the FSC will finally boot out Thompson and his big fat ass full of lies.

Posted May 31, 2008 9:50 pm PT
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ps3thabest

im sick of hearing from him we gamers need to go to his house and leave him in a pool of blood

Posted May 25, 2008 4:19 pm PT
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galduke

This debunks the "no news is good news" theory.

Posted May 24, 2008 3:38 pm PT
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cooldude03

Thompson's so ignorant that he still really doesn't get it. He's still p.o'ed that his princess is in another castle.

Posted May 24, 2008 1:54 pm PT
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MobstarRaven

Does he even know he's downright hated by almost everybody? He doesn't even have a real job to begin with so it's not like he's gonna lose anything if he lost the case. I hope they flush that loser down tough.

Posted May 24, 2008 12:49 am PT
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Kfoss

the day hes disbarred will be the finest day in gaming history....*marks calender for June 4th..*..

Posted May 23, 2008 3:41 pm PT
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AzureWind213

At the end of this, Jack Thompson reminds me of The Rock.

"The Rock says... the Rock says... .the Rock says... "

Hope his grandkids will be able to escape the stigma by which they'll be burdened. Not really any sympathy left for him, myself. He falls right in with the Pants judge in D.C. who sued his drycleaners for 50-something million dollars because they ruined his pants. (By the way, that judge is now suing to get his job back, since his friends didn't really feel like picking him up off the barroom floor).

Posted May 23, 2008 1:35 pm PT
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BadMunky

of course they want his job, he's annoying. not only does he spew more BS than the government, but he whines like a little princess when things don't go his way.

Posted May 23, 2008 1:27 pm PT
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Phazevariance

Hear that? That's the sound of Jack Thompson's career going down the toilet... except the toilet is currently cloged... and overflowing with unmentionable goo.

Posted May 23, 2008 1:18 pm PT
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Dryker

Don't mess with Americans' Freedom of Speech. This guy seems to be finally falling in flames. Now, I expect Hillary Clinton to follow suit. Sad, really, the only objections I have to her politics are those concerning censorship and she too often targets games. As an artist, I can't have it...
goodbye.

Posted May 23, 2008 12:26 pm PT
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jaredcrazy3232

its about time someone give him some controversy.

Posted May 23, 2008 10:52 am PT
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necronaux

This guy need to be put away. Get him out of the spotlight and toss him in a cell. (But I'm sure as Florida goes, one of the Bush brothers will see to it he gets off, retains his job, and makes millions in the process).

Posted May 23, 2008 10:12 am PT
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Hvac0120

Dear Jack Thompson,

You have been a thorn in many people's sides for many years. You are correct that we want you to lose your position as an attorney without the possibility of regaining that title in any U.S. state. The actions you have taken have lead to this. You believe that you understand the law enough that you can pretend to be above it and get around things. Well, sorry but your time has ended. Goodbye.

Posted May 23, 2008 8:52 am PT
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sieg6529

Wow, he refers to himself in the third person. The picture becomes clearer.

Posted May 23, 2008 6:46 am PT
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DiscGuru101

Wow, he pissed off more than the entire game community. Sounds like he is about to get the book thrown at him.

Posted May 23, 2008 2:00 am PT
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BigSmitts07

yeah..she has a personal grudge agasint him like his againt games....

Posted May 23, 2008 1:39 am PT
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ketsuatama

Karma!!!

Posted May 22, 2008 11:40 pm PT
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pigilikepoe

DRAMA!

Posted May 22, 2008 9:47 pm PT
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swmeek

Just goes to show that idiots like him get their comeuppances! Hopefully this will be good riddance for ol Jack!

Posted May 22, 2008 9:35 pm PT
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Pablo620

Hey we tried telling him to SHUT UP but he refused to listen. Funny thing is im from Miami, FL and he shops at one of my local Gamestops. The guys working there told me he buys his kids all kinds of games so this guy is just plain dumb and crazy

Posted May 22, 2008 8:48 pm PT
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darris5000

about time

Posted May 22, 2008 8:25 pm PT
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aslag94

I hope he visits this page someday...

Posted May 22, 2008 7:08 pm PT
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StillWingless

While I'm glad that Thompson is receiving his badgering dues, I'm not happy that he's also attempting to turn this into a petty, tit-for-tat drama-fest. I think he needs to take his lumps gracefully.

Posted May 22, 2008 5:13 pm PT
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jimbo102671

Somebody89:
"What goes around comes around :p"
I couldn't agree more, even though I want to.

Shmoe82:
"I'll miss his misguided hate towards video games."
I sure won't, especially since there'll be someone willing to take his place (glares at Senators Clinton and Leiberman).

Posted May 22, 2008 5:00 pm PT
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appleater

Subrosian, your comment is utterly wrong. The subtlety you're missing is that I believe you're one of the people always trying to link video games and violence. Jack Thompson is the face of anti-gaming, and his own colleagues during the trial called into question his sanity. The sanity - we're not talking about the scientific correctness or not, but the sanity - of his arguments are now in question. This is a major blow to anti-gaming, almost too good to be true. I'm sorry if you fell for Mr. Thompson's arguments, but don't rain on the parade.

Posted May 22, 2008 3:51 pm PT
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meta_foxx278

This fool just doesn't know when to quit, does he? I'm surprised he's still in his profession. He will get his just do. He's long overdue for it.

Posted May 22, 2008 3:40 pm PT
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SonicDBZRacer

A Bar? As in he was drinking? If he was, oh man, this is rich. Jack thinks video games are corrupt and can spoil minds (Kills brains cells), but alcohol does that for you, and a 100 times worse than any video game. In fact, video games don't kill brain cells, but alcohol does. YOUR SCREWED JACKY BOY!!! GTFO OUT OF MY COUNTRY JACK THOMPS.O.B.!! D:

Posted May 22, 2008 3:38 pm PT
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HitmanZer0

Can't say that he even had a career ...

Posted May 22, 2008 2:32 pm PT
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PacoL250

At this point, he's a joke to everybody.

I'd love to see an SNL parody of him if there isn't one already.

Posted May 22, 2008 2:21 pm PT
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LordAndrew

"These people don't want a resolution," Thompson said in a court filing. "They want Thompson's career, or what is left of it."

I love the use of third person.

Posted May 22, 2008 12:43 pm PT
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PkGam

Why they haven't taken away his license is beyond me... He has violated many rules before this such as sending gay porn pictures to judges when ordered not to because it's unnecessary... Is it because he keeps making defences up like in this article: "the judge has a grudge" that he able to still practice law? He's just buying time with comments like that. The man obviously just doesn't like freedom, artistic expression especially. He's just trying to use the law to make the US how he thinks it should be and it will never happen because of freedom. As said by many people in the past: it's the parents who let their kids play the games and a law will never get passed to ban M-rated games (and music) because of freedom. He's simply getting worried that no one is taking him seriously anymore, hence why he said "what's left of my career"... Not a single law he tried to pass or did pass stayed in place for long, maybe he's finally realizing that all he ever worked for can never be changed whether he likes it or not. If he is, that's the smartest thing he has ever thought of...

Hillary, you're next....

Posted May 22, 2008 12:40 pm PT
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AgamemnonRex

Now here's a case of someone not knowing when to shut the hell up...

Posted May 22, 2008 12:08 pm PT
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Last_One_Left

Give him the chair...or the firing squad!!! :X

Posted May 22, 2008 12:04 pm PT
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gamereric4

This is just great!!! A man who has lied to everyone and convinced the news media and people who didn't do research is now in more trouble than the game that is supposed to be the root of evil! LOL! Something tells me though next time he is on the news when gta 5 comes out, they might miss this little detail though.

Posted May 22, 2008 11:51 am PT
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CivicGSR

It's refreshing to hear that there are people in the US legal system that will take the time to get rid of opportunistic douche bags like Thompson who have no respect for freedom. Kiss my @ss Thompson, you will burn.

Posted May 22, 2008 11:44 am PT
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enoslives7

I love to see that weasel groveling on the floor....eat it Thompson !!!

Posted May 22, 2008 11:37 am PT
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FallenAngel

I find it funny that Thompson wrote 'what's left of my career'. Nice to see he's pretty much acknowledging himself that he has become a laughing stock.

Posted May 22, 2008 11:17 am PT
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mrkame16

According to Thompson, he offered to spend the next two years representing only indigent clients to avoid further legal wrangling with the Bar....He knows they got him by the B##@S! I hope they disbar the Him.

Posted May 22, 2008 11:12 am PT
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Pedro7_2000

Thompson activies play out like most video games, pitting good vs evil...could we be near the end!?! If so, I'm afarid there will always be a sequel with this guy.

Posted May 22, 2008 11:11 am PT
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darthzew

Then again, you can only really be that stupid by choice!

Posted May 22, 2008 11:09 am PT
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darthzew

Poor guy. Some of us are just born stupid...

Posted May 22, 2008 11:08 am PT
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holhardy

hahah jacky boy is going down

Posted May 22, 2008 11:02 am PT
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degrassirulez

Good, I hate this guy with a passion

Posted May 22, 2008 11:02 am PT
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Alastes

I can already see the future: 6 months from now Jack Thompson's body will be discovered after he shoots himself in the head. A copy of GTA IV will be found clutched in his hands.

Posted May 22, 2008 10:55 am PT
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xatman911

We should raise funds to lob this nuisance in space... he will never stay quite. Victory for gamers. Hurrah.

Posted May 22, 2008 10:54 am PT
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Skreb-Masters

I wonder if they'll bring up the fact he put gay porn as evidence into a court case where people could see it. Megalolz.

I'm sure he'll be back for another round or two before he finally gets felled.

Posted May 22, 2008 10:45 am PT
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Prinze

Let all us gamers and fanboys join hands and declare today a day of peace withing the gaming community.

Posted May 22, 2008 10:42 am PT
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Lelio316

"These people don't want a resolution," Thompson said in a court filing. "They want Thompson's career, or what is left of it." Once you start talking about yourself in the 3rd person, all of the good brain cells have been used up.

Posted May 22, 2008 10:35 am PT
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