MIAMI (WSVN) - A jury in Fort Lauderdale has determined that Miami City Commissioner Joe Carollo is responsible for harassing businesses in Little Havana as an act of political retaliation.
Cellphone video captured Carollo moments after he walked out of the federal courthouse in downtown Fort Lauderdale, Thursday afternoon.
The two-month trial focused on the 2017 commissioner elections, during which two businesses, including the renowned Ball & Chain nightclub along Southwest Eighth Street, alleged they were singled out due to their support for Carollo’s opponent, Alfonso Leon.
The owners of Ball & Chain, William Fuller and Martin Pinilla, filed a civil lawsuit against Carollo back in 2018.
According to the owners, Carollo used his position of power to bully their business, weaponizing city resources like police and code enforcement in an effort to force the closure of their establishments.
On Thursday, jurors unanimously concluded that Carollo violated the First Amendment rights of the Little Havana business owners. As a result, he has been ordered to pay compensatory and punitive damages totaling $63.5 million to Fuller and Pinilla.
Fuller and Pinilla addressed reporters on the front steps of the courthouse.
“Joe Carollo, what he has done to us, to our businesses, to our employees, is wrong,” said Pinilla.
“This man has shaken our name through the mud, and we are proud today that this jury and this judge found our way,” said Fuller.
Following the jury’s decision in the civil case against Carollo, his legal team sent 7News a statement that read in part:
“We are disappointed with the result. Commissioner Carollo will seek to exercise all legal rights available to him including appellate review. Unlike the Plaintiffs who seem to have now resorted to disparaging comments about the Commissioner and City of Miami Employees, the Commissioner will continue to serve all citizens of District 3 and the City of Miami fairly and equally in protecting health, safety, and quality of life.”
This case is not the first instance in which Carollo has faced allegations of abusing his power.
“This is a victory for the small people, for our tenants, for our employees, for everyone that didn’t have the economic means to fight what this man has been doing for 40 years,” said Fuller.
The matter of who will be responsible for the payment remains unclear, but given that Carollo was sued in his personal capacity, it is anticipated that he will bear the financial burden rather than the city taxpayers.
Notably, the City of Miami has already covered nearly $2 million of Carollo’s legal expenses.
“I need an official statement from the city attorney, and she’s the one that has to decide what we are going to do with the attorney’s fees,” said Miami City Commissioner Manolo Reyes.
In a statement, Miami City Commissioner Sabine Covo wrote, “I look forward to receiving a detailed briefing by the city attorney and city manager on impact and implications to our taxpayers … It’s incumbent on the city to ensure we restore full confidence of residents that their City Hall is always putting them first.”
Thursday afternoon, Miami City Attorney Victoria Méndez issued her own statement. It reads:
“The City thanks the jury for their service during this lengthy trial. Although the City is disappointed with the verdict and certain issues that occurred during the trial, the City anticipates that Commissioner Carollo will be exercising (and should exercise) full appellate rights, as provided for and protected under the American judicial system.”
While Carollo clearly plans to fight the jury’s decision, for now, Fuller and Pirilla are claiming victory.
“And once and for all, it feels great to finally smoosh that cucaracha,” said Fuller.
7News asked for an interview with Carollo. His attorneys said he will not be granting interviews on Thursday and instead released a statement on his behalf.
In light of the verdict, a group that is calling for Carollo to resign is scheduled to meet in front of Miami City Hall at 9:30 a.m. on Friday.
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