Raziel Ofer v. Metropolitan Mortgage Company, LLC, et al.

Summary

The Florida Third District Court of Appeal adopted a commissioner’s report finding that Raziel Ofer likely fabricated an email and related metadata and made unsupported allegations against opposing counsel and a judge. The court sanctioned Ofer by barring any future filings before the court without review and signature by a Florida Bar member in good standing. The court dismissed the appeal and denied pending motions as moot.

Holdings

1. The court adopted and approved the commissioner's report because the appellant failed to identify evidence undermining its findings or supporting an alternative conclusion.
2. Sanctions were warranted because the appellant failed to show cause why sanctions should not be imposed for filing unsubstantiated allegations and a purportedly fraudulent email in the appellate court.
3. The appellant was barred from filing anything before the Third District unless the filing was reviewed and signed by a member in good standing of the Florida Bar.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the court should adopt the commissioner's findings concerning the origin and authenticity of the purported email.
2. Whether the appellant should be sanctioned for filing unsupported allegations and allegedly fraudulent materials in the appellate court.
3. Whether the appeal should be dismissed after the court imposed sanctions.

Disposition

dismissed