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Former Miami Lakes Mayor Michael Pizzi won’t be heading back to office, but the Supreme Court has ruled that Governor Rick Scott must formally un-suspend him anyway.
Pizzi was arrested on bribery charges back in August 2013. The FBI alleged he accepted cash payments from lobbyist Richard Candia on two occasions. Pizzi maintained that the payments were legitimate, and meant for his reelection PAC and various charity work.
Governor Scott immediately suspended Pizzi after his arrest, as per state law.
He was acquitted of all charges this August, but his term had already ended, and Wayne Slaton had already been elected and taken office as the town’s new mayor.
Scott’s lawyer maintained that there was no reason then to officially lift Pizzi’s suspension, but today the Florida Supreme Court ruled that he must do it anyway.
That does to mean Pizzi is headed back to office however.
“In the order to show cause, this Court stated that it was not suggesting that the Governor is required to reinstate Petitioner to his former municipal office, which has been filled by operation of a special election in accordance with the Town’s charter,” reads the ruling.
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