A Lake County judge ruled Wednesday that Groveland Mayor George Rosario is to be stripped of all his mayoral powers because of his felony criminal record.
Circuit Judge Don Briggs barred Groveland from “recognizing the authority” of Rosario until further notice.
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Briggs also gave a second order giving the city 20 days to explain why the twice-convicted cocaine dealer should not be permanently removed from the elected office.
The Groveland City council voted 3-2 Tuesday to further investigate if Rosario should be barred from holding office, but did not remove him.
Rosario was convicted of selling cocaine to undercover officers more than 30 years ago in Pennsylvania and did not disclose that information before the election. Convicted felons are barred in Florida from holding elected positions.
Pennsylvania is one of 13 states that restore a convicted felon's right to vote after they serve their sentence.
According to the Lake County Supervisor of Elections Office, the city recognizes Pennsylvania's rights to vote, and officials said Rosario does have a right to vote, but when it comes to the right to hold a public office, that is up to the Groveland City Charter.
Rosario was elected to office on Nov. 8. One of his two opponents, Glen Wilson, has been calling for Rosario to step down since his criminal background was revealed after the election.
A group called Concerned Citizens of Groveland claims that Wilson and the city council are conducting a “witch hunt” and trying to keep Rosario from investigating “city corruption.”
As soon as he assumed office, Rosario called for a complete audit of the city's finances.
"I filed the paperwork with the Supervisor of Elections, and they reviewed them, they looked into them and there was no problem," Rosario said at the news conference.
Rosario has not commented publicly on the judge’s decision.