LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The Louisville Metro Council Court met for the first time Thursday evening to prepare for the removal trial of a councilman over ethics violations.

The Council Court, which is made up of all Metro Council members, met for about 15 minutes. 

In October 2023, the bipartisan Louisville ethics board found Councilman Anthony Piagentini, R-19, committed ethics violations for his role in pushing for a $40 million federal grant that was awarded to his future employer, the Louisville Healthcare CEO Council, or CEOc. The board found Piagentini guilty on six of seven charges levied against him in the case and recommended he be removed from Metro Council. 

The former council minority leader recused himself before the final vote on the funding. After he lost his ethics trial, the funding was pulled by Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg and has since been allocated elsewhere. 

"This is a civil procedure, so typically that's preponderance of the evidence. So you, as the sitting body, will determine whether or not the evidence is credible enough that warrants removal, which is different than a criminal court, which is beyond a reasonable doubt," Sarah Martin, with the Jefferson County Attorney's Office, said.

The month after Piagentini was found guilty, the Louisville Metro Council Charging Committee — formed to examine evidence from the commission's ruling — recommended formal removal charges for him. The six members on the Charging Committee are all Democratic Council members.

Eighteen Council members must vote to remove Piagentini. The court meets again next Wednesday, Jan. 24, to hear a motion to dismiss the charges. If that fails, the court will set a trial date. 

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