With the North Miami Beach Commission standing, the city was unable to conduct business

Miami – The road to running an urban business in North Miami Beach is cloudy. The mayor wants to fire the city attorney and manager.

Meanwhile, three commissioners support the city attorney’s position that Mayor Anthony DeFilippo “resigned automatically.”

It makes the city commission stand still, unable to conduct city business.

“This meeting is not legal,” said city attorney Hans Ottinot.

“You are out of order. Mr. Attorney, you are out of order,” DeFilippo said.

Mayor Anthony DeFilippo has barred City Attorney Hans Ottinot from revealing his legal position.

DeFilippo presided over the meeting, saying, “Sir, you are at odds. You have four votes to suspend you.”

DeFilippo tells Ottinot that the four sitting on the dais want to fire him.

At the same time, Ottinot tries to tell the commission that DeFilippo is already out. Instead, Ottinot failed to express his legal opinion.

The mayor first called his personal attorney, Michael Pizzi. Pizzi told the commission he filed an emergency order with the courts Tuesday morning to change the charter’s bylaws.

“This is going to be a mayor and council meeting with four majorities,” Pizzi said.

Currently, the rules state that the North Miami Beach Commission cannot hold meetings without at least five current members present.

There were only four at the meeting. On Tuesday, a discussion and public opinion was held.

“This whole meeting and transaction was illegal,” said McKenzie Fleurimond.

Fleurimond was one of three absent commissioners. His position is that the mayor resigned directly from the legal findings supported by the city attorney.

A 43-page memo to the commission said DeFilippo failed to secure his residency in North Miami Beach.

“I have decided not to attend tonight’s meeting to ensure that I am in good legal standing and that our city is in good legal standing by showing that he should not be presiding at the meeting,” Flerimond added.

“Tony DeFilippo shouldn’t be involved in what he thinks is going to be a conflict at that point.”

“I live in North Miami Beach. I always have,” DeFilippo said.

Charter regulations require automatic removal if the principal residence is outside the city.

Our investigative efforts call this into question. Our voting records show DeFilippo voted three times in 2022 from the North Miami Beach home he sold in 2021.

Property records show DeFilippo bought a $1.2 million home in Davie last July.

CBS4’s Joe Gorchow told DeFilippo, “Both you and your wife’s name is on the call box in Davie, and there are pictures of your wife living every day of the three-week investigation.”

“I have property,” DeFilippo replied.

Gorchow, then asks, “Your family lives there, and you live away from your family in the eastern suburbs, Mayor? Is that what’s happening? Can you answer why you were wrongly elected three times in 2022?”

“I already answered your questions,” DeFilippo said.

He gave one explanation about occupying the house in Davie.

“I’m an investor, I invest in property. You think I live in property, which I don’t.”

Commissioner Fleurimond said he would not attend commission meetings if the mayor continued to lead.

Both sides are considering legal options on how to resolve the matter.

When they do, the city’s business hits a brick wall.