From Eric Dondero:

Judge Richard Nielsen of the 13th Judicial Circuit for Hillsborough County, has ruled that a dispute over funds from property between two competing Muslim interests, should be decided according to Sharia Law.

From the GrendelReport, "Judge orders Muslims to follow Sharia Law":

In Tampa, Florida, a dispute arose over who controls the funds a mosque received in 2008 from an eminent domain proceeding.

Former trustees of the mosque are claiming in court they have the right to the funds. Current mosque leaders are disputing that claim.

The former trustees of the mosque want the case decided according to sharia law.

The judge recently ruled “This case will proceed under Ecclesiastical Islamic law,” (sharia law), “pursuant to the Qur’an.”

(Complete trial ruling - pdf)

As the GrendelReport further points out the case is similar to a...

2009 New Jersey case, where a Muslim woman sought a restraining order, in civil court, against her Muslim husband, who was raping her several times a day. The judge denied the restraining order because, in his opinion, the husband did not commit a crime because he was following his Islamic beliefs.

Judge Nielsen has been serving on the bench since 2000. He is a former trial lawyer. He was appointed by Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.