Some clarity on Judge John Lakin obtaining Rays ticket

Judge John F. Lakin sentences a defendant found guilty in a past trial at the Manatee County Judicial Center.
TIFFANY TOMPKINS-CONDIE/Bradenton Herald — Judge John F. Lakin sentences a defendant found guilty in a past trial at the Manatee County Judicial Center. TIFFANY TOMPKINS-CONDIE/Bradenton Herald ttompkins@bradenton.com

Some clarity on judge receiving Rays tickets

Some of our local media recently reported that Circuit Judge John Lakin received Rays baseball tickets from attorneys who allegedly appeared before him, including myself.

Upon receiving the reports, I immediately contacted the prosecuting attorney for the Judicial Qualifications Commission to provide him with the invoice and proof of payment from Judge Lakin for the four Rays tickets he purchased from me in May 2015.

I had never met Judge Lakin prior to his contact to purchase tickets and I have never appeared before him.

My wife, Donna, and I are unable to attend the 81 games in our Rays season ticket package. The tickets for those games we are unable to attend are given to the clients of elder, marital and family law practices, sold at cost (mostly to members of our local legal community), or donated to deserving individuals such as active or retired military personnel, first responders and educators.

Edward B. Sobel, P.A.

Bradenton

This story was originally published February 7, 2016 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Some clarity on Judge John Lakin obtaining Rays ticket ."

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