LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Metro Councilman Anthony Piagentini (R-District 19) is suing the Louisville Ethics Commission after they found him guilty of violating the city’s code of ethics in October.
The Commission found the councilman guilty of using his position as a local lawmaker to leverage a future job, and recommended Piagentini be removed from Metro Council.
In his appeal, Piagentini claims the Commission violated his due process rights, arbitrarily exercised their authority by deviating from procedural requirements, and said their findings were not supported by evidence.
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg terminated a $40 million contract with the Louisville Healthcare CEO Council in the wake of Piagentini's ethics trial.
A 5-person Charging Committee is now considering whether or not to remove Piagentini from Metro Council.
If the committee decides to move forward with any formal removal charges, they may not be presented to the full Council until early 2024.
According to the lawsuit, Piagentini believes the Ethics Commission did not act impartially throughout the trial.
The ethics commission said they will withhold comment until they've "had a chance to review the complaint and formally respond."
"That said, the Councilman, like any person adjudicated by the Commission, has a statutory right to appeal to a court of law any findings and conclusions of the Commission, so the fact that he may be availing himself of that right is neither surprising nor concerning," they said in a statement to WHAS11 News.
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