Mayor

Michael Pizzi's Attorney: “Process Will Have to Play Out”

After Friday's ruling stating that Michael Pizzi should be reinstated as mayor of Miami Lakes, questions abound as to whether he will turn up at City Hall sometime Monday in an attempt to reclaim his old job.

The Florida Third District Court of Appeal ruled Friday that Pizzi should be the Mayor of Miami Lakes immediately.

Gov. Rick Scott removed Pizzi after he was indicted on federal corruption charges two years ago. When Pizzi was later cleared on those charges, he embarked on a legal fight to be reinstated as Mayor.

The Third District court of appeal Friday afternoon agreed with Pizzi, agreeing that because he was cleared of any wrongdoing, he is entitled to reclaim his old job. Pizzi added that he believed he was "immediately entitled to resume my duties the minute I was acquitted."

In a statement emailed to NBC 6 South Florida, Pizzi's attorney Edward Shohad said Monday that there is a stay in place order until the court of appeals issues its mandate.

"The town and Slaton have until Wednesday to petition for re-hearing, and we have five days from their filing to respond," he writes. At that time, Pizzi and his team have to wait one to two days for a ruling, after which the mandade will issue ending the stay, he says.

"Unless the town and Slaton choose to stop eating time and money, this process will have to play out," he writes.

Mayor Slaton sent NBC 6 an email Friday afternoon saying, “I thank the Appellant Court for their expedited consideration of this case. My attorneys will be reviewing the court's ruling and we will be deciding the most appropriate manner in which to proceed.”

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