Florida Rep. Randy Fine Faces Contempt of Court Charges After Alleged Offensive Gestures During Online Hearing
Florida state Rep. Randy Fine is facing a contempt of court hearing on Oct. 1 after allegedly making inappropriate gestures during an online court appearance. The Republican representative reportedly flashed his middle finger and made a hand sign interpreted as “loser” during a Microsoft Teams hearing held on August 19. The incident, which occurred in a case involving political consultant Robert Burns, has led Brevard County Judge Scott Blaue to issue orders for both Fine and his attorney, Ryan Christopher Rodems, to show cause for their actions.
The hearing was part of an ongoing legal battle between Burns and the Brevard County Supervisor of Elections, in which Burns sought to have Fine and other candidates removed from certain election ballots. Burns and Fine have had a public feud dating back to 2020 when Burns represented Fine’s political opponent in a highly contentious primary race.
During the virtual court session, Fine wore a t-shirt promoting his state Senate campaign, a detail that also raised concerns as it violated the court’s directive requiring proper attire. Judge Blaue’s orders include screenshots showing Fine making the alleged obscene gestures and reference chat logs from other viewers of the hearing, who reportedly asked that Fine stop his behavior. One viewer, who was identified as Fine’s political opponent Chuck Sheridan, reported that Fine mouthed offensive words, including “F— you son of a bitch.”
Judge Blaue cited previous Florida legal cases to support his contempt of court orders, noting that such conduct obstructs the court’s ability to administer justice and diminishes its authority. Blaue also issued an order for Fine’s attorney, Rodems, to explain why he did not advise his client against such behavior during the hearing.
The upcoming contempt hearing will allow Fine and Rodems to present their case, explaining why they should not be held in contempt for the August 19 incident. Failure to comply with the court’s earlier orders, including the dress code for online hearings, will also be addressed.
Fine, however, has denied making any obscene gestures. In a statement to *Florida Today*, he criticized Judge Blaue’s actions, accusing the judge of bias and retaliation. Fine’s statement alleged that Blaue’s behavior in the case has been “appalling,” citing multiple instances where he believes the judge acted inappropriately, including the publication of Fine’s home address, which Fine claims led to death threats. Fine further argued that the contempt order was issued in response to a judicial ethics complaint he had filed against Blaue, raising concerns about judicial integrity in the case.
Despite these accusations, the screenshots and testimony from multiple sources during the virtual hearing are expected to play a significant role in the contempt of court hearing. If found guilty of contempt, Fine could face penalties, though the exact consequences will depend on the outcome of the hearing.
The incident has drawn attention not only for its bizarre nature but also for the broader implications it has for political decorum and judicial respect in online court settings, especially as virtual hearings become more common in legal proceedings. Fine’s actions, if proven to be true, may set a precedent for how courts handle inappropriate behavior during remote hearings in the future.
