[Tallahassee, FL] The “Taj Mahal” has a new resident.

Earlier this week, Gov. Rick Scott announced that he had appointed Florida’s Solicitor General Scott Makar to the First District Court of Appeal.

Makar, 52, from Jacksonville, has served as the state’s Solicitor General since 2007.

“Scott’s extensive knowledge of the law and experience in appellate courts is widely known and respected,” Gov. Scott said through a statement.

“I am confident he will consider every case presented to the appellate court in a thorough and fair manner,” he said.

Makar replaces Judge Paul Hawkes who resigned from his post effective Jan. 4 to short-circuit a hearing and investigation into his role in creating the elaborate First District Court of Appeal building, as reported by Sunshine Slate.

The Judicial Qualifications Commission had Hawkes squarely within its sights, charging him a wide range of abuses in erecting the lavish building, including  misuse of authority, improper conduct and destroying public records.

He famously attempted to force a deputy marshal to run errands, including one that involved buying vinegar so that the judge could clean his coffee pot.

Photo: First District Court of Appeal

Inside the opulent First District Court of Appeal building

That First District Court of Appeal‘s palatial monument to justice was dubbed the “Taj Mahal” for its over-the-top decadence for a public building and price tag of $50 million.

Hawkes had other issues as well – workers complained about the Judge’s demeaning style of leadership and constant browbeating.

“The taxpayers, the citizens of Florida, will never get many questions answered, unfortunately,” said Sen. Mike Fasano (R-11/New Port Richey), of Hawkes’ pre-hearing exit.

Makar will no doubt be a welcome sight at the “Taj” now that Hawkes’ reign of terror is over.

Makar is plenty qualified for the job. As Solicitor General he argued cases in the U.S. Supreme Court, the Florida Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, the First District Court of Appeal and the Second and Thirteenth Judicial Circuits.

He received a bachelor’s degree from Mercer University, as well as a pair of master’s degrees from the University of Florida (a doctorate in economics and a law degree).

By: Mark Christopher/Sunshine Slate

Images: First District Court of Appeal, Scott Makar by Solicitor General’s office

First District Court of Appeal