MIAMI — With a loss in his attempt to once again be Miami’s mayor, term-limited Commissioner Joe Carollo’s time in public office is coming to a close.

But there are still questions about his legal fees: Commissioners have yet to vote on whether Miami taxpayers will continue to bankroll his legal battle as he appeals a multi-million dollar civil verdict.

The issue has already been deferred twice, with some commissioners warning that it may have a chilling effect on city leaders who feel like the city doesn’t have their backs.

They’re set to vote again in late November on whether to cover Carollo’s legal fees.

The two candidates headed for a mayoral runoff weighed in.

“The person (who) does the thing should pay their own legal fees when they are abusing their power as an elected official,” candidate Eileen Higgins said.

Candidate Emilio Gonzalez said, “If it comes out, which I believe it did in the court, that he was acting in a personal capacity, then we should not pay his legal fees.

“If he was acting in an official capacity, I could see that.”

Commissioner Miguel Gabela said he doesn’t “see a good reason for that vote not to be taken.”

He believes the fees should be covered ― but only to a point.

“We’re going to cover your trial. We’re going to cover your first appeal. We’re then going to cover the en banc appeal, which is what I call the second appeal,” Gabela said. “The only thing we’re not going to cover is if you decide to go to the United States Supreme Court. We’re not going to cover that. That’s going to come out of your pocket.”

A federal jury found Carollo liable in 2023 for retaliating against two Little Havana business owners who backed his political opponent.

Carollo, 70, has tried to appeal the $63 million judgment against him.

“The taxpayer has been fleeced,” Gabela said. “I think we’ve had enough.”

Documents from over the summer estimate that Carollo’s defense has cost taxpayers at least $5 million. But Gabela said the longtime elected official’s actions have had a domino effect.

“I would say right now the city is probably in for probably $30 to $35 (million) as of this point, not counting the losses that we still have to settle and the legal bills that we still have to pay,” he said.

The next Miami City Commission meeting is scheduled for Nov. 20.

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