Archives 5th Circuit JNC

Update: Judge Bass recused from foreclosure case; resigned as Director of Bass Construction Group, Inc.

Circuit Judge Jennifer Bass

 

Update: On May 10, 2016 Judge Bass entered an Order recusing herself in my reverse-mortgage foreclosure case, RMS v Gillespie, 42-2013-CA-00115-T, Marion County, Florida.

 

ORDER OF RECUSAL

 

For good and sufficient cause, the undersigned Judge hereby recuses herself, ex mero motu, from further consideration of matters connected with this action.

 

DONE AND ORDERED at Ocala, Marion County, Florida this 10 day of May, 2016.

JENNIFER BASS

Circuit Judge

 

Judge Bass Order of Recusal May-10-2016
Judge Bass Recusal Order May-10-2016.pdf
Adobe Acrobat document [1'019.5 KB]

The Division of Corporations shows Judge Jennifer Bass resigned May 16, 2016 as Director of Bass Construction Group, Inc.
 

Judge Jennifer Bass Resigned May 16, 2016 as Director of Bass Construction Group, Inc.
Judge Bass Resigned May 16, 2016 as Dire[...]
Adobe Acrobat document [84.6 KB]

The Division of Corporations shows an Amendment May 16, 2016 to Remove Jennifer Bass Director of Bass Construction Group, Inc.

 

Amendment May 16, 2016 to Remove Jennifer Bass as Director of Bass Construction Group, Inc.
Amendment May 16, 2016 to Remove Jennife[...]
Adobe Acrobat document [166.8 KB]

The 2016 Florida Profit Corporation Annual Report April 29, 2016 shows Jennifer Bass, Director of Bass Construction Group, Inc.

 

A.S.A. Jennifer Bass promised to "immediately resign upon appointment" in response to Question 33a. Business Involvement on her Application For Nomination To The Fifth Judicial Circuit, Circuit Court dated September 27, 2015.

 

Gov. Scott appointed A.S.A. Jennifer Bass on Friday, December 18, 2015 to the circuit bench.

 

2016 Florida Profit Corporation Annual Report filed April 29, 2016 for Bass Construction Group, Inc.
2016 FLORIDA PROFIT CORPORATION ANNUAL R[...]
Adobe Acrobat document [9.5 KB]

From page 15 of the Application of A.S.A. Jennifer Bass For Nomination To The Fifth Judicial Circuit, Circuit Court dated September 27, 2015. Response of A.S.A. Bass in blue bold.

 

BUSINESS INVOLVEMENT:

 

33a. If you are now an officer, director or otherwise engaged in the management of any business enterprise, state the name of such enterprise, the nature of the business, the nature of your duties, and whether you intend to resign such position immediately upon your appointment or election to judicial office.

 

Director of Bass Construction Group, Inc. A company that is jointly held with my spouse Brandon Bass. The company has no clients or projects and my spouse has been employed full time with J. McLauchlin and Co., a commercial construction company, since March of 2008. Bass Construction Group, Inc. filed a final business tax return in tax year 2010. Yes, I will immediately resign upon appointment.

 

33b. Since being admitted to the Bar, have you ever been engaged in any occupation, business or profession other than the practice of law? If so, give details, including dates.

 

Director of Bass Construction Group. Inc., since February 21, 2002.

 

Email of Derek Schroth May-09-2016 with page 15 of the Application of A.S.A. Bass For Nomination To The Fifth Judicial Circuit, Circuit Court dated Sep-27-2015
Response email of Derek Schroth May-09-2[...]
Adobe Acrobat document [154.0 KB]

Response email of Derek Schroth May-09-2016

Good Afternoon Mr. Gillespie:


We provided you with all the information in our possession you requested concerning Judge Bass. On Page 15 (attached) of Mrs. Bass’s application she disclosed her involvement with Bass Construction Group, Inc. to my satisfaction. Thank you for your time and consideration.


Sincerely,
Derek A. Schroth
Florida Bar Certified Expert in Business Litigation and Local Government Law
BOWEN & SCHROTH, P.A.
600 Jennings Ave.
Eustis, Florida 32726
Telephone: (352) 589-1414
Facsimile: (352) 589-1726
Florida Bar No. 0352070
Web Site: www.bowenschroth.com

 

Response email of Derek Schroth May-09-2016
Response email of Derek Schroth May-09-2[...]
Adobe Acrobat document [154.0 KB]

Letter May-09-2016 to Derek Schroth, JNC Chair 5thCir.

To: Derek A. Schroth, JNC Chair (2019)
Fifth Judicial Circuit Nominating Commission
Bowen & Schroth, PA
600 Jennings Ave.
Eustis, Florida 32726-6147
Telephone: (352) 589-1414

 

Re: Redacted Application of Jennifer Lester Bass for Nomination to the Fifth Judicial Circuit, Circuit Court Judge

 

Dear Mr. Schroth:

 

Upon review of the above cited application, it appears information is missing or not correct.

 

The Form 6 Full and Public Disclosure of Financial Interest (pages 27-34) shows the applicant had a negative net worth as of September 27, 2015 of "$-27,141.80".

 

My calculation using Excel shows the applicant’s negative net worth was (-$46,866.98) using the data provided on the form. See attached my calculations. It is possible I did not figure right, so please check it yourself.

 

It appears the applicant’s insolvency is understated by almost $20,000.

 

The applicant’s net worth (insolvency) does not include $304,000.34 in Joint and Several Liabilities. Is that exclusion permitted under the JNC Rules or Ethics Rules?

 

Part E - Interests in Specific Businesses, the applicant did not disclose an interest in BASS CONSTRUCTION GROUP, INC. The 2015 and 2016 Annual Reports shows Jennifer Bass is a Director, see attached. The address for Bass Construction Group, Inc. appears to be the home of Jennifer Bass. The Articles of Incorporation (Feb-02-2002) show Jennifer Bass as a Director. The Florida Department of State shows Bass Construction Group, Inc. is an active Florida profit corporation. Husband Brandon Bass also appears as a Director of Bass Construction Group, Inc.

 

While not part of the JNC application, the Form 1 filed by the applicant in 2012 is incomplete and does not show any liabilities, but does show income from Bass Construction Group, Inc.

 

The applicant’s 2013 Form 1 fails to show in Part F interest in Bass Construction Group, Inc.


The applicant’s 2014 Form 1 fails to show in Part F interest in Bass Construction Group, Inc.

 

Sincerely,

Neil J. Gillespie
8092 SW 115th Loop
Ocala, Florida 34481
Tel. 352-854-7807
Email: neilgillespie@mfi.net

 

Note: The foregoing text is edited slightly as to format from the original letter (below in PDF) for clarity online.

 

Letter May-09-2016 to MrSchroth, Chair 5thJNC
Letter May-09-2016 to Derek A. Schroth, [...]
Adobe Acrobat document [69.0 KB]
ASA Jennifer Bass JNC Application FORM 6 Excel data
ASA Jennifer Bass JNC Application for Ju[...]
Adobe Acrobat document [7.1 KB]
Jennifer Bass JNC Application - Finanical Information
Jennifer Lester Bass Application - Finan[...]
Adobe Acrobat document [751.5 KB]
Form1-ASA-Bass-2012-2013-2014-DisclosurePRR
Form1-ASA-Bass-2012-2013-2014-Disclosure[...]
Adobe Acrobat document [498.6 KB]
BASS CONSTRUCTION GROUP, Inc. (Fla. Dept State)
BASS CONSTRUCTION GROUP, Inc. (Fla. Dept[...]
Adobe Acrobat document [38.2 KB]
2016 FL PROFIT CORPORATION ANNUAL REPORT
2016 FLORIDA PROFIT CORPORATION ANNUAL R[...]
Adobe Acrobat document [9.5 KB]
2015 FL PROFIT CORPORATION ANNUAL REPORT
2015 FLORIDA PROFIT CORPORATION ANNUAL R[...]
Adobe Acrobat document [9.5 KB]
Bass Construction Group, Articles of Incorporation
Bass Construction Group, Articles of Inc[...]
Adobe Acrobat document [259.7 KB]
Link rules for the Circuit JNC
2016, 05-04-16, Email NJG to MrSchroth re JADR 22p
2016, 05-04-16, Email NJG to MrSchroth r[...]
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2016, 05-02-16, Email NJG to MrSchroth re JADR 2p
2016, 05-02-16, Email NJG to MrSchroth r[...]
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2016, 04-22-16, Email NJG re JNC comments
2016, 04-22-16, Email NJG to MrSchroth J[...]
Adobe Acrobat document [53.4 KB]
2016, 04-21-16, Email to MrSchroth POD $15 PRR
2016, 04-21-16, Email to MrSchroth POD $[...]
Adobe Acrobat document [533.7 KB]
2016, 04-19-16, NJG payment MrSchroth $15 PRR
2016, 04-19-16, NJG payment MrSchroth $1[...]
Adobe Acrobat document [475.0 KB]
2016, 04-19-16, Email to MrSchroth paid $15 PRR
2016, 04-19-16, Email to MrSchroth paid [...]
Adobe Acrobat document [479.3 KB]
2016, 04-18-16, Email from MrSchroth $15 for PRR
2016, 04-18-16, Email from Derek Schroth[...]
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2016, 03-08-16, Email records provided Mr Schroth
2016, 03-08-16, Email records provided b[...]
Adobe Acrobat document [4.9 MB]
2016, 03-07-16, Email PRR response of Mr Schroth
2016, 03-07-16, Email response of Derek [...]
Adobe Acrobat document [35.0 KB]
2016, 03-07-16, Email PRR Derek Schroth JNC Chair
2016, 03-07-16, Email PRR to Derek Schro[...]
Adobe Acrobat document [9.7 KB]