LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The city of Louisville has $40 million in funding it pulled in the wake of an ethics controversy, and it has to spend it quickly.

It's continued fallout from the Metro Ethics Commission's ruling that Councilman Anthony Piagentini, R-19, committed violations and recommended his removal from Metro Council. 

Piagentini co-sponsored an ordinance directing $40 million in federal COVID-19 pandemic relief money to the Louisville Healthcare CEO Council. The measure passed the Metro Council on Dec. 1, and he took a consulting job with the group the next day, according to evidence shown at his August trial.

The ethics commission ruling accused Piagentini of taking "advantage of a perilous moment in government finance," during the pandemic, with the goal of enriching himself.

Piagentini did remove himself as a co-sponsor and did not vote on the ordinance, and has denied those charges. He called the ruling a "complete travesty of justice."

One of the nonprofits that was set to benefit from the CEOc funding was ElderServe, which serves seniors in west Louisville. But after Mayor Craig Greenberg announced the termination of the contract, Tim Findley, the CEO of ElderServe, went in a tailspin.

"As a man of faith, my heart dropped," said Findley.

ElderServe is in the Russell neighborhood. Right now, the building is undergoing renovations to expand services, which will include an adult day health center.

"It's going to bring rest. It's going to bring comfort to families that have been searching for this kind of facility," Findley said.

The money from CEOc was supposed to support the program.

"I think, without this funding, ElderServe could function for a limited amount of time," Findley said. "Limited."

On Friday, Greenberg recommended the reallocation of the $40 million in funding towards parks, libraries, and organizations part of the CEOc-led proposal. While ElderServe was not part of the Friday's list, a spokesperson for the mayor told WDRB News it will be included.

"And he's (Greenberg) assured me that whatever he can do, he's going to do in making sure that we get proper funding," said Findley.

Metro Council President Markus Winkler was another sponsor of the ordinance for the original $40 million grant to CEOc. He is now the co-sponsor of a new bipartisan ordinance reallocating the funds to local nonprofits, parks, libraries and pools.

"I think several people expressed early on we don't want collateral damage for these organizations, so I'm glad to see the mayor not terminate those agreements," said Winkler, D-17. "Obviously disappointed because I think workforce development is critically important, but am also supportive and understand the direction we're heading."

Findley says he feels reassured after conversations with Greenberg, but he's holding his breath until the money is signed over.

"It is absolutely critical, and without it we can't operate," he said.

Piagentini has strongly denied the ethics commission's findings and intends to remain in office.

The new ordinance concerning the $40 million in federal funding will likely be discussed in next week's budget committee meeting. Piagentini is a member of that committee.

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