Case against ex-Dade judge dropped

MIAMI (WSVN) -- The organization that oversees judges has dropped its case against a former Miami-Dade County judge accused of misconduct.

The Joint Council for Qualifications dismissed its case against Ana Maria Pando after she agreed not to run for judicial office again.

Pando left the bench in November after losing her bid for re-election. A 7News investigation first revealed Pando had written to the state on her judicial letterhead to help a friend's business.

As a result she was accused of violating the judicial code of conduct. Her attorney said there was no reason for the case to go proceed. "They had jurisdiction to go forward if they wanted to and try to have this trial but, for what, she's not a judge anymore," said Pando's Attorney Mike Catalano. "So I'm glad it's over and so is she."

Pando has now joined a private law firm.

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