Shamed Anna Nicole judge retires

The Florida judge who briefly presided over the paternity battle for Anna Nicole Smith's daughter Dannielynn has retired in a bid to avoid a possible judicial inquiry over a recent drugs scandal.

Family Court Judge Lawrence Korda has been on voluntary paid leave since news of his part in a police drugs sting hit the headlines in March. Korda was charged with misdemeanour marijuana possession after police officers spotted him smoking a joint in a park near a group of children. The misdemeanour marijuana possession charge will be dismissed in November if Korda passes six months of drug testing.