Miami Lakes mayor will step aside, allow Michael Pizzi to reclaim seat

Wayne Slaton says he won't appeal to U.S. Supreme Court

MIAMI LAKES, Fla. – Miami Lakes Mayor Wayne Slaton said Monday that he would abide by a recent appellate court ruling and yield to former Mayor Michael Pizzi.

The Third District Court of Appeal ruled last week that Pizzi "is entitled to resume his duties" as mayor immediately, in addition to receiving all back pay and benefits.

Pizzi was suspended by Gov. Rick Scott after he was charged with bribery and extortion in August 2013, but he was acquitted last year. Pizzi's attorneys contend that he should have been automatically reinstated, citing state statute, but attorneys for Miami Lakes and Slaton, who was elected during Pizzi's suspension, claimed the town charter superseded the state's law.

The ruling states that Pizzi's "original term has not expired, and he is entitled, as a matter of Florida law, to resume his official duties as mayor until the conclusion of the term for which he was originally elected."

Pizzi's term ends in November 2016.

Slaton said Monday that, although he has the option to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, he believes it would not be in the best interest of the town since the process could take more than a year.

"I will not -- will not -- be appealing their ruling," Slaton said.

Pizzi said he was "ecstatic" to be returning to office.

"I think this has made me a better person, and I hope I'll be an even better mayor," Pizzi said.

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