A federal court ordered the United States Marshals to seize $63,500,000 worth of assets from Miami Commissioner Joe Carollo in January 2024. To execute the order, the US Marshal's Office arrived at Carollo's home in Coconut Grove on the afternoon of Friday, February 2nd.
This order came after Carollo was held accountable in June 2023 for his alleged attempt to harm two businessmen's companies out of political revenge. After the incident, the jury found Carollo guilty and ordered him to pay $63 million.
The United States District Court also directed the Southern District of Florida to seize Carollo's money, property, and land in an enforcement order filed in January 2024. In an effort to recover the money, the United States is currently seizing Carollo's home and property. Marshals.
Joe Carollo was accused by two businessmen who filed a lawsuit against him
On Friday, February 2, U.S. Marshals began the process of seizing the assets of Miami Commissioner Joe Carollo to enforce the $63 million judgment against him last year.
This happened as a result of two businessmen suing Joe Carollo. Carollo was accused of planning a scheme against businessmen William Fuller and Martin Pinella.
Fuller and Pinella filed a lawsuit alleging Carollo used city resources as a weapon against them to further his grudge. The jury awarded the plaintiffs the sum, concluding that Carollo had violated their First Amendment rights.
According to CBS News, the businessmen's attorney said in a statement on Friday, February 2:
“Although Carollo continues to resist the consequences of his misconduct, it should serve as a clear reminder to other public officials that their political power derives from the public trust and is not a tool to advance their own corrupt personal ambitions.”
Following the incident, in January 2024, a federal judge gave approval for the commissioner to seize Carollo's property and other assets.
Following the judge's directions, marshals went to Cararullo's Coconut Grove home. He was then observed pinning several notices, including a copy of the judgment, an execution order, and a “U.S. Marshal Levy Notice” to the front door of the home.
These notices also included numerous court documents about Carollo's ruling as well as the judge's final ruling. The documents also announced that the marshal's personal property would be confiscated.
It is expected that at some point, law enforcement will enter the home to confiscate his belongings. After that, it will be put up for auction to help cover the $63 million Carallo was supposed to pay.
However, according to the Miami Herald, Joe Carollo has refuted the allegations. Later that day, he addressed the media claiming that his rights had been ignored. He also said that he was a victim of an ineffective legal system.
Additionally, according to sources like NBC Miami, Carollo also told reporters on the same day,
“This is where I live, and I'm trapped in limbo like no one else is. Where am I going?”
Carollo also said
“I was an honest public servant, and I made a living by doing everything I could to do what was best for the residents, which is why I continued to be elected and re-elected.”
Joe Carollo also told the Miami Herald that he is being “politically persecuted” and has consistently refuted the allegations in the complaint. He is expected to challenge the confiscation of his property in court.
However, Carollo's lawyers told the same media that his property may be auctioned off within the next 90 days if he loses the legal battle.
