Judge Halts Seizure of Miami Commissioner's Home

Miami City Commissioner Joe Carollo has successfully protected his Coconut Grove home from being seized in connection with a $63.5 million court judgment against him. U.S. District Judge Rodney Smith upheld the homestead exemption, stating that the plaintiffs, Bill Fuller and Martin Pinilla, did not prove their claims that Carollo manipulated voting maps for personal gain. Carollo was found liable in June 2023 for violating the First Amendment rights of the plaintiffs, who alleged political retaliation against them. Following the ruling, Carollo expressed relief, asserting that his home cannot be taken away by those claiming debts. However, Fuller and Pinilla plan to appeal the decision, highlighting the contentious nature of the case and their accusations of abuse of power by Carollo. This legal battle underscores the complexities of homestead protections in Florida amidst significant financial penalties.