Former Sheriff's Office Attorney, Fifth Circuit Judge, Under Investigation for Making Threats

SPRING HILL – Former Hernando County Sheriff’s Office Attorney and current Fifth Circuit Judge Joel Fritton could be in some hot water, after deputies were called to investigate a domestic dispute at the home of his estranged wife.

On Monday, Deputies responded to an address on Winthrop Drive, where they met with Maria Fritton, who has lived separately from her husband for several months.

A confidential source provided exclusive information to R News, claiming that Judge Fritton made threats to harm his wife and others, over issues involving their divorce. Additionally, it is alleged that Fritton threatened to use his power as a judge to manipulate the outcome of their divorce.

Our source says that other Fifth Circuit and County Judges are involved in misconduct, including rigging cases for certain attorneys, but our source is not prepared to provide that evidence at this time.

Our source says the threats were recorded and documented on electronic format.

Hernando County Sheriff Al Nienhuis confirmed that this case has been forwarded to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FLDE), due to conflicts between the Sheriff’s Office and Judge Fritton.

Judge Fritton currently presides over felony criminal cases in Citrus County.

We will bring more on this story as it develops.