Florida Supreme Court Grants Petition Alleging Judicial Misconduct,in the Ninth Judicial Circuit
Washingtoner/10286378

ORLANDO, Fla. - Washingtoner -- By Folksalert

In a rare and decisive move, the Florida Supreme Court, Case No. SC2025-0317, has granted an amended petition filed by pro se litigant and FolksAlert podcast host Rayon Payne, who alleges widespread judicial misconduct and systemic constitutional violations stemming from Florida's Ninth Judicial Circuit and the Sixth District Court of Appeal.

The Court's March 14, 2025 order marked a highly unusual step—especially for a pro se litigant. After Payne filed his original petition and multiple supplements, the Court issued a directive: consolidate all filings into a single, comprehensive petition and attach it to a formal motion to amend. This level of procedural guidance is extraordinarily rare and signals the Court is actively engaged with the gravity of the issues raised. Payne complied, submitting a unified filing supported by over 700 pages of appendix material. The Florida Supreme Court has since granted the motion and placed the case under formal review.

More on Washingtoner

• UV Weathering Test Chamber vs Xenon Arc Test Chamber: What's the Right Solution for Your Products
• Emeritus Addresses Hospital Bed Shortages with Smart Storage Solutions
• Fulton County & Grow Your World Amplify Atlanta Youth Through the Youth Audio Collective
• Spokane: Firework Thrown From a Vehicle Causes Severe Injuries to Another
• Spokane: Coffee With Council District 2 Council Members

Payne's amended petition details a deeply troubling pattern of obstruction, fraud upon the court, and procedural manipulation by judges, attorneys, and institutions. At the center is Jermaine Carlos Diaz, also known as "Young Lace"—a two-time convicted child sex trafficker and registered lifetime sex offender—who used platforms like Instagram to promote and glamorize his criminal lifestyle. As a journalist and podcast host, Payne reported on Diaz's conduct, which sparked a 2019 lawsuit led by attorney Eric LaRue, who is now a central figure in the petition.

Judges named in the petition include Chief Judge Lisa Munyon, for permitting procedural abuse and declining to intervene despite clear evidence of misconduct. Judge Patricia Strowbridge, who stated on the record that she would not consider binding admissions and, when corrected on the law by Payne, told him to "seek legal advice."

The petition also highlights Navy Federal Credit Union, a federally chartered and regulated institution, for filing false and misleading statements in court to hide its financial relationship with Diaz. The filing questions how much illicit money—potentially linked to human trafficking—may have passed through Diaz's Navy Federal accounts.

More on Washingtoner

• 2026 Oscars Betting Odds: One Battle After Another Favored for Best Picture
• Allen Field Co., Inc. Components Selected for Esko ArtiosCAD 3D Component Library
• Monroe Welcomes The Great Junk Hunt – This Vintage Market is Getting Ready for the Holidays!
• Thirteen Reasons Why Gyminny Kids Is San Diego's Best Gymnastics Gym
• Kennedy Funding Closes Challenging $3 Million Cash-Out Refinance Loan in Rural Washington State

Two high-profile law firms are also named Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP, which represented attorney Shannon Ramos in a California domestic violence case involving Payne. The California appellate court later reversed the ruling due to lack of evidence. That reversal became the basis for Payne's lawsuit in Florida. Wicker Smith O'Hara McCoy & Ford P.A., implicated in enabling due process violations and advancing filings that allegedly furthered constitutional harm.

The Sixth District Court of Appeal is accused of enabling the trial court's actions and exceeding its authority by ruling on matters of constitutional and judicial misconduct without jurisdiction—thereby shielding the trial court from accountability.

"This isn't just about one litigant," Payne said. "This is about whether justice is real or conditional—whether courts protect the Constitution or the people who violate it. If judges can ignore wrongdoing, and appellate courts won't correct it, then what chance does anyone have?"

Legal observers, watchdog groups, and civil rights advocates are watching the case closely. The Florida Supreme Court's response could reshape judicial accountability and set national precedent.

Website: https://www.folksalert.com | Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/folksalerttv/