Attorney and former Miami Lakes Mayor Michael Pizzi has been hired by Bill Veach and Ray Murphy to defend them in the recall lawsuits filed by Fort Myers Beach Town Council member Karen Woodson and John King. Pizzi has an interesting history in local politics.
According to The Miami Laker newspaper, while Miami Lakes Mayor in 2013, Pizzi was arrested by the FBI in a sting operation alleging conspiracy to commit extortion and bribery. The Miami Herald reported the FBI accused Pizzi “of accepting more than $6,000 in bribes during meetings in a smoky pool hall, a Starbucks and the closet of his office in Medley, where he was the town attorney.” Former Gov. Rick Scott suspended Pizzi from office.
In 2014, Pizzi, claiming the feds entrapped him, was acquitted by a jury of all the charges and even reinstated as Mayor (he ran again in 2016 and lost). Pizzi then went after the town for $3.5 million in legal fees he racked up when the feds arrested him. It looked like the courts were about to rule in Pizzi’s favor so nearly 10 years after the charges were brought, the town decided to settle and paid Pizzi $1.625 million rather than continue the fight costing taxpayers more. It’s an interesting financial win for Pizzi because in the Fort Myers Beach recall case the Town Council voted to pay the “reasonable” legal bills for Woodson and King. The town Attorney advised the council it was a law they were obligated to follow.
Back on August 1st former Fort Myers Beach Town Council member Bill Veach and Former Mayor Ray Murphy, who are the co-chairs in a recall campaign against Woodson and King, asked the court for more time (15 days) to respond to the lawsuits Woodson and King filed against them. Pizzi has asked for additional time, until Monday, August 18th to respond. He’s requesting the additional time to get through a trial he’s involved with this week and review the documentation in the Woodson/King case. He states there will be no additional extension requests.
Woodson and King are being represented by Sarasota based attorney Morgan Bentley.
Veach and Murphy have alleged Woodson and King violated Florida’s Sunshine Law and accepted gifts from developers. They have provided no proof of their allegations and are telling residents the recall is about Seagate and other approved developments. Votes council members have taken, such as the Seagate vote, are not subject to recall. And that is why Woodson and King have filed lawsuits. They deny all the allegations and are asking a court to spike the recall.
Woodson has filed a lawsuit against Murphy. King has filed a lawsuit against Veach. Woodson and King are asking the court to throw out the recall because they say it is all based on lies. Bentley has filed a motion with the court to have both lawsuits consolidated into one and heard before the same judge. No ruling has been made on that request yet. The Veach/King case has been assigned to Circuit Court Judge Michael McHugh and the Woodson/Murphy case has been assigned to Circuit Court Judge Kyle Cohen.
On July 25th Councilman King filed a request for discovery from Veach. The request was for any communications Veach has in his possession that have anything to do with his allegations against King.
In addition to paying the legal fees for Woodson and King, Fort Myers Beach taxpayers are also required to pay for a special election if the recall makes it that far. The estimated cost for a recall election is $25,000.
The recall committee has until August 23rd to collect 505 signatures of Fort Myers Beach voters. They collected more than enough in the first round. That list must then be verified by the Lee County Board of Elections. If it is, a special election will be called. Veach has notified Town Manager Will McKannay that he has enough signatures and they will be delivered to Town Hall next week.
The seats Woodson and King now occupy on the council are up for election in 2026.
We’ve reached out to Pizzi and requested an interview.
Easy solution- Town Council follow the Comp plan –
Agree! None of this would be happening if Town Council/staff actually complied with the Comprehensive Plan the town has in place instead of “cherry picking” what they want to adhere to or not. While I would prefer to see actual evidence of violations of Florida’s Sunshine law, I can’t say I’m surprised they received enough signatures in the first round (according to them). These town council members and staff have really ticked off a lot of residents/property owners, etc., simply for not following the Comprehensive Plan and ignoring voters/residents/property owner’s rights who have presented evidence demonstrating their lack of compliance. Wake up Town Council and start listening to your voters!!
It’s a shame people like Veach and Murphy don’t respect elections and the town council’s decision. Let the town move on with our future.
It’s our future too Joe.
It is a shame that WAK do not follow the intent and spirit of the comp plan and have total disregard for the purpose of the Town incorporating.
Exactly who is paying for this?
And the attorneys just keep getting richer
Who needs Reality television while living on FMB?
Mr. Price, be careful what you ask for, you might get it….a real shit show