January 23, 2001

Ms. Debbie Causseaux
Chief Deputy Clerk
Supreme Court of Florida
500 South Duval Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1927

Dear Mr. Hall and Ms. Causseaux:

I am in receipt of your letter dated January 18, 2001. Your expressed opinion is neither relevant nor acceptable. As far as I can tell, you have not been authorized to render decisions on behalf of the Florida Supreme Court Justices. Accordingly, our check number 2184, in the amount of $250.00, is being forwarded to you again so that the Petition for Writ of Mandamus can be filed with the Court. Whether this Petition for Writ of Mandamus will be accepted, on its merits, must be determined by the Justices of the Supreme Court.

It appears that you have attempted to usurp the power of The Supreme Court by rendering an opinion rejecting our Petition for Writ of Mandamus which you do not have the power or authority to do.

In your correspondence to us, you have unilaterally determined that the Supreme Court cannot review this matter. That statement requires a determination by the Court not by you. Our standing to raise the severe conflict of interest, set forth in the Petition for Writ of Mandamus, is not determined by whether, as complaining witnesses, we were parties to the disciplinary proceedings. Clearly, you are attempting to usurp, without judicial intervention, the duties of the Supreme Court Justices. Since you are without authority to do so, we must insist that our papers be accepted for filing, that the appropriate docket numbers or otherwise be issued, that we obtain confirmation thereof and that the Court render any determination as to whether we are proceeding appropriately in these quite unusual circumstances, and on the merits.

 I trust that you fully understand that we cannot rely on a self-serving letter, issued by you, which claims that the Court cannot review this matter as set forth in our Petition for Writ of Mandamus.

In taking the position you have, you usurped unto yourself the duties of the Court in determining the manner in which justice is to be dispensed. Your actions are both questionable and non- binding. Accordingly, confirm immediately that this matter is filed and will be presented in the appropriate fashion for the Court’s review.

Very truly yours,

Meryl M. Lanson

Enclosure

cc:

Chief Justice Charles T. Wells
Justice Harry Lee Anstead
Justice Major B. Harding
Justice R. Fred Lewis
Justice Barbara J. Pariente
Justice Peggy A. Quince
Justice Leander J. Shaw

Governor Jeb Bush
Attorney General Bob Butterworth