Piagentini wins removal trial before Metro Council, plans appeal of ethics ruling

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Metro Councilman Anthony Piagentini, R-19, will keep his seat after a removal trial centered on ethics violations. But he said the fight isn't over.

On Tuesday morning, Piagentini thanked the council for the vote Monday night that allowed him to keep his seat but said he and his legal team still plan to appeal last year's decision from the Louisville Metro Ethics Commission. They're taking that appeal to Jefferson County Circuit Court.

Last year, the ethics commission recommended Piagentini's removal after it found him guilty on six of seven charges in the case. It said he committed those violations for his role as a councilman in funneling millions of dollars to his future employer, Louisville Healthcare CEO Council. Piagentini maintained his innocence throughout.

The grant money was later pulled by Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg and has since been allocated elsewhere.

The council voted Monday night to allow Piagentini to keep his job and while appealing the ethics commission's decision. He promised to work for his constituents.

"The people that elect us to represent them today and demand that we tackle the serious problems facing our city crime, job creation and infrastructure just to name a few," he said. "To that end, I'm going to be calling every single member of console to rebuild relationships and focus on the future."

Piagentini said there are some things he would have done differently. He conceded after signing the non-disclosure agreement with the Healthcare CEO council that he wished he could have had a conversation with council President Markus Winkler and work through the process that way.

He also became emotional during the news conference Tuesday, thanking his family and apologizing for what they had to endure throughout the weeks-long trial.

Piagentini said attorneys for the ethics commission have already filed motions countering their appeal.

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