This is a big step for Michael Pizzi in his efforts to get his job back and if this were a football game he'd have a big lead going into the fourth quarter but this fight is not completely over yet.
The Florida Third District Court of Appeal ruled Friday that Pizzi should be the Mayor of Miami Lakes immediately.
Pizzi met supporters who turned out late this afternoon in front of Miami Lakes Town Hall to make what they believe is a victory lap.
For two years Pizzi has been in a legal fight to be reinstated as the Mayor. The governor removed him and the town elected Wayne Slaton after Pizzi was indicted on federal corruption charges but when found innocent Pizzi says in the eyes of the law he has never committed any crime and therefore should be Mayor here again.
The Third District court of appeal Friday afternoon agreed with him.
"Under the Florida constitution I was immediately entitled to resume my duties the minute I was acquitted. And I am entitled to immediately resume my duties once again," Pizzi said.
The court's opinion says, "The Supreme Court found that upon acquittal of criminal charges the Governor has a mandatory duty to revoke the order... his original term has not expired and his is entitled to resume his official duties..."
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"Once again today the court of appeals has reaffirmed what we have been saying for more than two years now," Pizzi said.
The town put out a statement saying, "We respect the Third District Court of Appeal’s decision and are in the process of reviewing the order... We will move forward from these proceedings and continue to work for the residents of our great Town."
Pizzi says he wants all the legal fighting to end.
"I'm extending an olive branch to them and lets resolve this and lets put the circus past us," he said."
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.”
That means, they can either give in and let the five days go by and call it a day, or file motions to fight Pizzi again.
