Miami Lakes Mayor Wayne Slaton has thrown in the towel and former Mayor Michael “Muscles” Pizzi is now, officially, really, the mayor.
Slaton announced at a press conference Monday that he would not appeal the most recentcourt ruling in favor of Pizzi, who is likely heading for Town Hall to 
take his place behind his desk right now as you read these words.
Pizzi was arrested in August 2013 on federal bribery charges after a yearlong sting in which he took bribes to approve and push — even to Medley where he acted as town attorney — a bogus federal grant scheme that would never benefit the cities. A jury acquitted him last year even though he took $3,000 from a wired lobbyist bagman in the closet of his office.
Still, after he was acquitted, and he forced Gov. Rick Scott to lift the suspension, Pizzi won a lawsuit demanding the town let him come back to office and, last week, that decision was upheld by the Third District Court of Appeals.
In his statement to the media, Spineless Slaton said that he was certain an appeal could be won at the Supreme Court level, he decided to give up because there’s an election in 2016.
Say what? That election is 17 months away. L
adra realizes what he’s thinking. There’s no way that Pizzi could win re-election again. But you’re just going to give him the helm for the next 17 months?
There could also be a concern with the ongoing costs of fighting this. But here’s the problem with that: By giving up, and allowing Pizzi to win, he now has automatic access to town funds for his attorneys fees and back pay. So, where are the savings? As we say in Cuban, ahi todo el mundo tiene que tener la mano metida.
Here is Slaton’s statement in its entirety:
“The circumstances bringing the town to the present condition, are not of our doing. We are here because both the Governor and the Supreme Court specifically and purposely did not reinstate the former mayor back into office.
The Supreme Courts’ ruling specifically stated “During Petitioner’s suspension, the Town held a special election for mayor in accordance with the requirements of its charter. The permanent replacement mayor assumed office on October 8, 2013, and the new mayor’s term will run until the next regularly scheduled election in November 2016.”
The Court further stated “that it was not suggesting that the Governor is required to reinstate Petitioner to his former municipal office, which has been filled by operation of a special election in accordance with the Town’s Charter.” The Supreme Court ordered the Governor to merely revoke the suspension.
In compliance with the Supreme Courts’ ruling, the Governor issued a two section Executive Order. Section 1. Revoked the suspension; Section 2. In accordance with the Orders of the Supreme Court, this Order does not reinstate him back to the office of Mayor.
On December 22nd 2014, the Town of Miami Lakes had no authority to reinstate the former mayor, which brings us back to the present. Realizing that the town did not have the authority, the former mayor chose to sue the town, the mayor and the clerk, asking a court to reinstate him.
“The Third District Court of Appeal has ruled in favor of the former mayor. They did not find that the town Charter was unconstitutional, but rather chose to interpret it differently. They have issued a stay to their ruling pending potential appeal.
So here we are…The lower courts say reinstate. The Governor and the Supreme Court clearly suggest he should not be reinstated.
I am confident and comfortable with the Governors’ and the Supreme Court’s ruling and that they both said precisely what they meant. There are many that want the Supreme Court to hear this case.
However, getting an appeal to the Supreme Court is not an easy or a quick process. It is not inconceivable that the process could take a year or more.
There will be an election for mayor this coming year 2016.
Therefore, I am instructing my attorney to issue the appropriate document to the Third District Court of Appeal, informing them that I will not be appealing their ruling. And I am recommending that the Town do the same.
I want to thank my attorneys and the town administration for their excellent work during this process.
Specifically, I want to commend the Town Council for their continued diligent work, leadership and support of all our shared accomplishments. Despite a challenging year and a half we came together as a team and kept the town moving forward.
Henry Ford, the founder of Ford Motor Co put it best when he said “coming together is the beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success.”
Finally, I want to thank my wife and daughter, and all our friends, for helping me to succeed.
It has been an honor, once again, to lead this town as your Mayor. Thank you all for your continued support.
Wayne Slaton,
Mayor, Town of Miami Lakes”
No word yet on how much this is going to cost the taxpayers. But Ladra is quite certain they’ll get that legal bill tomorrow and it will be the new mayor’s first order of business.
Wayne Slaton gives up; Michael Pizzi is Miami Lakes mayor added by Ladra on
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Your point is well taken. I don’t blame Mr. Slaton for running in the election. I believe Mr. Joseph Geller, the former Town Attorney correctly interpreted the law. He explained that the position was temporary in the event Mayor Pizzi was acquitted. It was AFTER Mayor Pizzi was exonerated that the new town attorney Raul Gastesi caused this conflict by arguing that Geller was wrong and that is friend and patron Wayne Slaton could stay in office. The Town’s argument about defending the Town Charter was silly. The election of Slaton to fill the spot of Mayor was fine except the only person who could change his status was Pizzi. If Pizzi was found guilty . Nothing would have changed. Slaton stays until 11/16. Except, Pizzi won and was entitled to return. Everything legal and correct except Gastesi interpretation of the Town Charter. I still say he’s a better lawyer than that and merely took that view to keep himself and Slaton in office. But I understand your point completely. I blame Gastesi, not Slaton.
Not guilty does not mean innocent. The jury system discussion is for another time. While Pizzi is clearly shady and talks more like a street thug than Mayor, the judicial result is correct when you read apply state law to address the gap in the city charter when there is a finding of not guilty. To have him not be able to return to office before the natural expiration of his term would in effect be a punishment for being indicted. In others words, a presumption of guilt. Let me clear, I don’t live in Miami Lakes and never have and from the outside looking in, Pizzi is as dirty a politician as they come but we are a nation of laws, not men. The voters will decide next year.
There should have been an “interim” Mayor not an election. Don’t blame Mayor Slaton for winning an election that was held by the Town in their interpretation of its charter.
Ladra, I usually like your articles and for the most part they are spot on. However, calling Mayor Slaton “spineless” is insulting and a huge mischaracterization of a great man. You see, unlike most politicians, Mayor Slaton is a kind, decent and honorable man. He has always looked out for the best interest of the residents of Miami Lakes and stepped up in a time of turmoil in our town. We need more people like Wayne in politics. Please don’t discourage people like him from getting involved because there are very few truly honest people in politics. Fortunately for the residents of Miami Lakes, we have a strong town council who will see that Pizzi does not once again drag our good name through the mud. By the way, during this whole ordeal I repeatedly visited your website to read your comments on this issue. Sadly I don’t recall ever seeing articles until now.
I must disagree with Cathy to some extent. Wayne Slaton is a good and honest man, however, I feel we cannot overlook his responsibility in exacerbating the situation. First, he ran for the Mayoral position after Mayor Pizzi’s suspension because he basically wanted to be Mayor. He was trounced by the Mayor less than a year earlier and saw this as a second chance to get in. Vice Mayor Cid considered a run as did Councilman Hernandez. Despite Wayne Slaton’s former experience status, he barely squeaked out a victory by a few hundred votes. Turnout was bismal. Nevertheless, as difficult as it is for the haters, an overwhelming majority of folks support Mayor Pizzi and his lawful return to Town Hall. He and the Town Council have done great great things together and will continue to do. The Town is not one person and never had been (well, not exactly never–lol). Please note Cathy that Mayor Pizzi was exonerated, that means that fair minded folks determined the Mayor not guilty of those alleged charges. Some of us are more embarrassed by the circus created when Wayne Slaton refused to leave the party when it was time to go as he spent hundreds of thousands of $$$ to keep a job he could not win at the polls directly against the Mayor. I’m sorry, Cathy. I respect Wayne Slaton service and importance to the history and founding of the government and self rule of Miami Lakes, however, I believe he was selfish and mounted a power grab at the financial expense and dishonorable posturing before the Town Council pretending it was a fight about the Town Charter. It wasn’t . The Charter is fine. Folks just need to understand that with an acquittal, the Mayor could return anytime prior to the new election in Nov. 2016. Wayne knew this and so did Gastesi. So be fair Cathy. The 3000 of you who support Wayne can vote for him again if you forgive him for wasting over 1 million $ on his personal fight. The majority of us with support the man who we elected by a 70% – 30% landslide–Mayor Michael Pizzi.
Thank you Anonymous at 4:41. I haven’t read any handouts but I think my comments are fair. Everyone can differ in their preference of mayors–some prefer the Founding Mayor Wayne Slaton, however when given a choice between the two in 2012, many more chose Mayor Pizzi–that’s politics. Miami Lakes will decide again whether it be in 2016 regular election or some threatened recall effort. Regardless, and I truly mean regardless, I believe the reinstatement mess after acquittal of Mayor Pizzi started when Town Attorney Gastesi convinced Governor Scott that Mayor Pizzi’s term expired resulting in the Governor punting on the issue. For the last time, Miami-Dade Judge Cardone Ely got it right and so did the Third DCA. If you read all of the opinions including the footnotes and relevant case law, there was 0% chance the Supreme Court would have reversed the Third or Circuit Court. These are the same folks who issued the Mandamus Order. Anyway, time to move on. The only thing left is to pay everyone’s legal bill. Ironically, we will finally know how much Ben Kuene pays for his bow ties 🙂
Harris s,
You must have been reading a handout from Mike Pizzi. The order from the Supreme Court did NOT say “would.” Therefore, your legal view fails.
Can someone explain Dan Tanner’s comment? The inside references are lost on me.
This expensive fiasco was caused by the triggering of an election. If the position wasn’t going to be valid until the end of the mayoral term, then there should have been no election and the Vice Mayor should have become interim until the outcome of the court case.
After reading Mr. Slaton’s resignation, I can’t decide whether he truly believes what he is saying about his entitlement to the Mayoral seat. To keep it simple, Slaton WOULD have been the “new” “permanent” Mayor of Miami Lakes until 11/2016 IF Michael Pizzi had been convicted. That is how it works! The Governor and FL Supreme Court were merely citing the procedural History of events but did not rule whether Slaton’s election precluded Pizzi from returning. They left it to the local court to decide and they decided for Pizzi. It’s frustrating that Pizzi’s entitlement was obvious to all except Mr. slaton and those partisans who had personal or vested interest in the fight. I believe Mr. slaton finally lost the support of the Council with its votes and dollars. Sounds like Mr. Slaton was told this was over after the Circuit and Appeals Courts ruled against him. Slaton and Gastesi couldn’t squeeze anymore money for this fight and they probably told Slaton to let it go and run in 2016 if he wants. In the end, Slaton dissed both Courts in clinging to his position and more importantly lost credibility with the People. Anyway, Boss Pizzi is back tomorrow –it’s High Noon in ML! Lol
Harris you are full of facts and contradictions. Guess you’ve erased Pizzi’s preceding arrest for bribery and the questionable lifestyle of Mr. Pizzi – suspected of committing arson to his own law office; walking his neighborhood at 3:00 a.m. while intoxicated; hanging out at a local pool hall like a modern Minnesota Fats; placing childish bumper stickers on opposing council member vehicles, etc. Yes, Pizzi will be back in office as ordered by the court and yes only for a cup of coffee since the citizens of Miami Lakes have had enough of that clown and will move to recall him within a month. So there, enjoy the high noon sun while it lasts- it won’t be for long.
Fulanito, I respectfully reply to your comment. Notwithstanding all that you have said about Mayor Pizzi, the issue I addressed was the legality of Mayor Pizzi returning to office, not whether the people of Miami Lakes have buyers remorse and prefer to have any new Mayor, whether it be Slaton or someone else. I don’t believe my facts or comments are a contradiction. I believe Slaton and Gastesi initiated the legal battle and high legal fees not because they were protecting the town charter, BUT to actually keep themselves in power AND keep Mayor Pizzi out of office for as long as they could. I believe the battle ended and they lost their cause because a further extended stay by the Third a DCA was unlikely and what would be the purpose to spend more money from the outside looking in? None. Slaton will most likely run in 2016 and have great support from folks, such as yourself, who feel about Mayor Pizzi as you do. Others will, I believe overwhelming support Pizzi or some other candidate. People like a fighter and a winner. Like it or not, the Mayor was cleared of wrongdoing. As for the rest, folks have to decide if they warn a beer drinking pool playing mayor. That’s why we have elections, or as you suggest, recall elections. I don’t think folks want to spend another 50k for a recall election when there is an election next year–but you may be right. Finally, expect Boss Pizzi to RUN! Forget Term limits law, Pizzi was elected PRIOR to 2010′ there for he gets “two additional terms ” under the Town Charter. Yes, it’s true! No contradiction, just facts. The Mayor who proposed Term Limits gets to run in 2016. Can’t wait for that fight. Spence-Jones Anyone? 2 hours and the Boss is Back!!!!
Ok, George Lopez enough trolling. Now back to your letter carrying job and nice job on that false testimony you provided to the feds. The difference between yourself and the decent citizens of Miami Lakes is that unlike your type we are not immersed in the corruption stench that surrounds you. Now run to your master and fetch his bag of tricks from his car.
To call the key figure who was doing the right thing in the middle of the maelstron, spineless, is needlessly picking on the wrong person.
I don’t know either of these two men or have anything against, or in favor of them. But this whole drama was a waste of energy, money and time. Once acquitted, Pizzi was obviously going to win any legal case to force his way back into the office of Mayor.
The lawyers must have made good money. They are the only ones who really won anything here.
Mayor Slaton is a decent family man who has fought a tough fight trying to prevent a morally deprived individual from taking the reins of City Hall. There is nothing “spineless” about a man who has attempted to do what’s right for ML and was a key player in bringing incorporation to the area. Any decent citizen will turn his back on Pizzi when he walks into a room. A recall process would solve the problem. How many ML citizens are willing to step up and remedy this situation? All that is needed is 10% of the signatures of all registered voters.