LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A Republican member of Louisville Metro Council, facing possible removal from office for ethics violations, no longer holds a leadership position.
The Council's majority and minority caucuses held their first meetings of 2024 Thursday evening where they voted on leadership positions.
Councilman Anthony Piagentini, R-19, will no longer serve as chair of the Council's Minority Caucus.
The nine Republicans on the Minority Caucus voted to appoint Councilman Kevin Kramer, R-11, to the position. The caucus also unanimously elected Councilman Scott Reed, R-16, as its vice chair.
In October 2023, Piagentini was found to have committed ethics violations for his role in a $40 million federal grant that was awarded to his future employer, the Louisville Healthcare CEO Council, or CEOc. The funding was later pulled by Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg and has since been allocated elsewhere.
The bipartisan Louisville ethics board found Piagentini guilty on six of seven charges levied against him in the case and recommended he be removed from Metro Council. The following month, the Louisville Metro Council Charging Committee — formed to examine evidence from the commission's ruling — recommended formal removal charges for Piagentini.
If Metro Council holds a trial, 18 members would have to vote in favor of removing Piagentini from office.
During their meeting on Thursday, the Democrats on the Majority Caucus reelected Councilwoman Paula McCraney, D-7, as Caucus Chair and Metro Council President Pro Tem. Councilwoman Tammy Hawkins, D-1, was selected as Majority Caucus vice chair.
The full Metro Council also held its first organizational meeting on Thursday, where members reelected Councilman Markus Winkler, D-17, as Council president.
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