AP - Thomas E. Stringer spent more than three decades quietly building his legal career in Florida. He was the first black graduate of his law school. He worked his way onto an appeals court in the Tampa Bay area. In 2007, he was inducted into his law school's hall of fame.

Then last spring, the well-respected, married judge suddenly found his face splashed beside that of a troubled exotic dancer in a kimono.

She went on TV to claim they'd been romantically involved, and that he helped her hide money from creditors, even putting a rent-controlled New York City apartment under his name for her.

Newspaper columns were written. Jokes were made. Stringer's 35-year legal career was tarnished.

"It is axiomatic that 'Judge' and 'Stripper' showing up in a headline is never a good thing, especially if you happen to be the 'Judge,'" then Tampa Tribune columnist Daniel Ruth wrote after the story broke.

Criminal charges are possible, though the FBI declined to comment. The state agency that oversees judges dropped misconduct charges after Stringer, who stepped down in February and draws monthly retirement benefits of $8,069, agreed never to be a judge again.

To his friends and the legal community, the speed of Stringer's fall was shocking. Many are reserving judgment, while others feel their trust in him was misplaced.

Delano Stewart, a Tampa attorney who calls himself a former friend of Stringer, said Stringer's conduct "disrespects all of what I have worked for all of my life."

"I am so deeply angry with him," Stewart said.

Stringer, who has said he had a friendship and business relationship with stripper Christy Yamanaka, declined to comment for this story. His attorney did not return repeated messages left at his office.

Yamanaka also declined to comment.

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