The Florida Supreme Court has made an example of Hillsborough attorney Kelsay Dayon Patterson, disregarding a court-appointed referee’s ”far too lenient” recommendations in favor of more severe punishment over Patterson’s ”incendiary and disparaging comments” against judges.

The referee, Pinellas Circuit Judge Pamela A.M. Campbell, found Patterson guilty of professional misconduct — one of four charges brought against him by the Florida Bar — and recommended admonishment and a $2,827.09 fine.