Steven Effman
Steven Effman | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Florida House of Representatives from the 98th district | |
| In office November 5, 1996 – November 7, 2000 | |
| Preceded by | Steven Feren |
| Succeeded by | Roger Wishner |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 13, 1950 New York, New York |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Children | Amy, Scott |
| Residence | Sunrise, Florida |
| Education | University of Massachusetts (B.A.) Hofstra University (M.S.) The John Marshall Law School (J.D.) |
| Occupation | Attorney |
Steven Effman is a Democratic politician and attorney who served as a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 1996 to 2000.
Early life and career
Effman was born in New York City. He attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst, receiving his bachelor's degree in political science in 1972, and Hofstra University, where he received a master's degree in secondary education in 1973. Effman then attended the John Marshall Law School, receiving his juris doctor in 1976. He moved to Florida in 1977.[1]
Sunrise city government
Effman ran for a seat on the Sunrise City Commission in 1981, defeating incumbent Commissioner C. Murray Gold.[2]
In 1982, following the retirement of Democratic State Representative Terry O'Malley, Effman ran to succeed him in the 90th District,[3] and resigned from his seat on the City Commission.[4] However, he was defeated in the Democratic primary by attorney Peter Deutsch, who won the general election.[5]
After Sunrise City Commissioner John Montgomery was convicted of extortion and tax evasion and removed from office by Governor Bob Graham in 1985, Effman won the 1986 special election to succeed him, and returned to the City Commission.[6] He was re-elected in 1987[7] and 1991.[8]
Effman ran for Mayor of Sunrise in 1993, and faced former Mayor John Lomelo, who was previously convicted of conspiracy to commit extortion.[9] Effman defeated Lomelo in a landslide.[10]
Florida House of Representatives
In 1996, incumbent Democratic State Representative Steven Feren opted to run fro the State Senate rather than seek re-election, and Effman ran to succeed him in the 98th District,[11] and was elected unopposed.[12] Effman was re-elected in 1998 without opposition.[13]
Effman declined to seek re-election to a third term in 2000.[14] Earlier in the year, news broke that Effman had engaged in a sexual relationship with a woman he represented in a divorce case and entered into a confidential settlement to pay her $150,000.[15] Following Effman's announcement that he would not seek re-election, two other former clients alleged that Effman had entered into sexual relationships with them.[16]
After finding that Effman had engaged in three sexual relationships with former clients, the Florida Supreme Court suspended Effman from the practice of law for 91 days, effective April 21, 2003.[17]
References
- ^ "Steven Effman". Florida House of Representatives. 2000. Retrieved August 13, 2025.
- ^ Pellegrino, Kathleen (March 11, 1981). "Lomelo choices rejected". Fort Lauderdale News. p. 1B. Retrieved August 13, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Coppersmith, Randy (May 7, 1982). "Grassroots campaign strategy will be key to Effman House win". Fort Lauderdale News. p. 10. Retrieved August 13, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Stein, Ellen (July 8, 1982). "Resignations may force 3 elections". Fort Lauderdale News West. p. 1. Retrieved August 13, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "September 7, 1982 Primary Election - Democratic Primary - Official Results - State Representative - District: 90". Florida Department of State Division of Elections. 1982. Retrieved August 13, 2025.
- ^ Gayoso, Jay (January 15, 1986). "Former official in Sunrise wins seat on council". Sun Sentinel. Fort Lauderdale, Florida. p. 1B. Retrieved August 13, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Greenbaum, Kurt (January 15, 1987). "Effman retains council seat without a fight". Sun Sentinel. Fort Lauderdale, Florida. p. 3. Retrieved August 13, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Cherry, Alan (March 13, 1991). "Wishner keeps job ex-council member Colon wanted back". Sun Sentinel. Fort Lauderdale, Florida. p. 4B. Retrieved August 13, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Nevins, Buddy (January 20, 1993). "Elections run the gamut". Sun Sentinel. Fort Lauderdale, Florida. p. 1B. Retrieved August 13, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Cherry, Alan (March 10, 1993). "Effman demolishes Lomeo's comeback". Sun Sentinel. Fort Lauderdale, Florida. p. 1A. Retrieved August 13, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Vernon, Amy (May 9, 1996). "In Sunrise, the sun never sets on city politics". Miami Herald. p. 3. Retrieved August 13, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Morgan, Lucy (July 29, 1996). "Democrats fighting to keep lease on House". St. Petersburg Times. p. 1B, 5B. Retrieved August 13, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Branch, Karen (July 18, 1998). "As dust settles, legislative races gel". Miami Herald. p. 1A, 16A. Retrieved August 13, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Broward lawmaker won't seek re-election". The Palm Beach Post. West Palm Beach, Florida. July 9, 2000. p. 11A. Retrieved August 13, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Nevins, Buddy; Hollis, Mark (June 22, 2000). "Effman weathering scandal". Sun Sentinel. Fort Lauderdale, Florida. p. 1B. Retrieved August 13, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Savage, Charles (July 21, 2000). "Third sex lawsuit filed against Effman". Miami Herald. p. 1B. Retrieved August 13, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Nevins, Buddy (March 27, 2003). "Lawyer's license suspended for 91 days". Sun Sentinel. Fort Lauderdale, Florida. p. 3B. Retrieved August 13, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.