A judge has ruled that former Miami Lakes Mayor Michael Pizzi is entitled to get his job back.
Circuit Judge Cardonne Ely sided with Pizzi in a lawsuit Tuesday, saying he should be allowed to resume his duties as mayor.
Judge Ely stayed the order for 30 days, pending appellate review.
Pizzi's lawyers applauded Judge Ely's decision and "for her adherence to legal precedent and the will of the voters of Miami Lakes, who overwhelmingly elected Mayor Pizzi to lead the Town until the November 2016 election."
“We appreciate the courts time on this issue. Important charter issues like these are almost never decided at the trial court level," the Town of Miami Lakes said in a statement. "The Town Council will be meeting with the Town Attorney over the next few days to discuss the next steps."
The town had argued that replacement Mayor Wayne Slaton was the properly elected leader to finish the term.
Pizzi was suspended from office by Florida Gov. Rick Scott after he was arrested on multiple federal corruption charges in 2013. Pizzi was acquitted by a federal grand jury last August and had been fighting the suspension from office ever since.
Slaton was elected to finish Pizzi's term in October 2013.
