Could Supreme Court Justices be Deposed in Retention Case?

A gadfly ex-attorney predicted Tuesday that a state investigation could spell "big trouble" for three state Supreme Court justices.

Gov. Rick Scott on Monday forwarded state Rep. Scott Plakon's call for an investigation to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Plakon's request was triggered when Justices Barbara Pariente, Fred Lewis and Peggy Quince received staff help in submitting paperwork to state election officials.

The justices face a retention election this fall, but their attorney, Dan Stengle, has denied that any illegal "electioneering" was involved in the handling of the forms.

Disbarred Miami attorney Jack Thompson has raised additional concerns about the signing of an affidavit, claiming the trio has "organized opposition" in the retention election.

"There needs to be active, organized opposition -- and no one has ever accused me of being organized," Thompson said.

Thompson also dismissed the notion that Restore Justice, a conservative court watchdog group, constitutes organized opposition. Restore Justice is designated as a 527 organization for political purposes. The group's president, Jesse Phillips, declined further comment.

Attorneys close to the matter say they expect depositions in the case. Stay tuned.