COCONUT GROVE, FLA. (WSVN) - A federal court order has directed the U.S. Marshals to seize all of Miami City Commissioner Joe Carollo’s possessions, including his Coconut Grove home and other properties, months after the commissioner lost a multimillion-dollar civil lawsuit
Back in June of 2023, a federal jury found the commissioner liable for harassing the owners of Ball & Chain, a music and entertainment venue in Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood. Carollo was ordered to pay $63.5 million in damages.
The commissioner spoke to 7News following that decision, saying he was not going to pay a dime.
“I’m not having to pay for it, because we’re going to win this in appeal,” said Carollo.
Tuesday’s court order, a writ of execution, directs the U.S. Marshals to get everything he has, forcing him to pay off that judgment.
“Justice delayed is justice denied,” said Jeff Gutchess, an attorney representing the owners of Ball & Chain.
William Fuller and Martin Pinilla, the owners of Ball & Chain, filed the civil lawsuit against Carollo in October of 2018, claiming the commissioner repeatedly used his position to bully the business because they did not support him politically, The owners claimed Carollo got police officers and Code Enforcement to try to shut them down.
Gutchess commented on the federal court order to 7News on Wednesday.
“We’re gonna get money from the insurance companies separate from this, but for Joe Carollo’s own assets, we believe his house is worth $3 million,” he said. “We believe, from his own financial disclosures with the city, that he has another million and a half in assets that we’re going to seek to seize. We believe he has additional properties in Miami that we will seek to seize those as well, and then we’ll continue to garnish his wages.”
City of Miami Mayor Francis Suarez said he spoke with Carollo about the latest development.
“I think there was some report on social media that there was some law enforcement action at his house, and he confirmed to me that there wasn’t,” said Suarez, “but he’ll be at the commission meeting tomorrow and, so, I’m you can ask him that then.”
Officials said Carollo’s assets will be auctioned for cash, and that cash will be used to pay off the $63.5 million in damages to the owners of Ball & Chain.
“This has been a long time coming,” said Gutchess.
But on Wednesday, Carollo’s attorney issued a statement that said in part, “Commissioner Carollo strongly believes that the judgment will be overturned and that all execution efforts should await this determination.”
Gutchess, on the other hand, does not believe that will happen.
“It’s not enough. There’s nothing they can repair for abuse of power by a government that shuts down your businesses and harms your life,” he said, “so this is is a step in the right direction, but we do need the federal courts to enter an order enjoining any further harassment or retaliation against Mr. Fuller or Mr. Pinilla or anyone in the city.”
Gutchess said U.S. Marshals could start seizing Carollo’s assets within a week or two.
7News reached out to the U.S. Marshals. A spokesperson said they cannot comment on an ongoing investigation.
Carollo is expected to attend a city commission meeting at 9 a.m. Thursday, where 7News will be receiving reactions to this court order.
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