Suspended Mayor May Have Legal Fight To Get Job Back
MIAMI (CBSMiami) - One day after suspended Miami Lakes Mayor Michael Pizzi was found not guilty on all seven bribery and extortion counts against him, he is once again walking the streets of Miami Lakes with no shame.
"Hi, howya doing?" said Pizzi to a resident who was driving by Main Street and congratulated him.
Pizzi is all smiles now but describes this past year at a total nightmare.
"There were times when I could not get out of bed, I didn't want to face anybody I was humiliated, broke, bankrupted I lost everything there were times I did not want to survive" said Pizzi to CBS 4's Marybel Rodriguez. But after a nearly two month long trial Pizzi was acquitted and now says he is focusing on himself, his family and Miami Lakes.
"I don't want to go back and fight with people I am not going to a town event and take the microphone form Mr. Slaton I want to rise above the fray. I don't want to create discomfort, confusion or problem this town has been through a lot," said Pizzi.
Pizzi says he would like to return as mayor and is hoping Governor Rick Scoot will reinstate him, but Governor Scott says it is a local issue and the governor has no role in the matter.
"They had an election under their local charter I expect all elected officials to live up to the highest standard and there's nothing to reinstate him to" said Governor Rick Scott.
Pizzi responded by saying "I've been exonerated by the jury, by not reinstating me governor Scott is showing no respect for the American System not respecting the American court system and violating Florida Law," said Pizzi.
When Pizzi was suspended a special election was held and a new mayor was elected Wayne Slaton the current mayor released this statement saying "I have no intentions of resigning. I am not going anywhere. I completely committed to the residents of Miami Lakes. My intent is to help our town meet future challenges and pursue opportunities available now and in the future, which will help improve services to our residents and their quality of life," said Wayne Slaton Miami Lakes Mayor.
While Pizzi says he will not lose sleep over his reinstatement he did say his attorneys will deal with.
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