Groveland mayor reinstated by Appeals Court

On Friday, the Fifth District Court of Appeals ruled to overturn an injunction that stripped Groveland Mayor George Rosario of his title.  

The injunction originally went into place in January, after questions arose about Rosario’s past felony conviction for selling cocaine in Philadelphia.

His opponent in last year’s race, Glen Wilson, filed suit saying that conviction disqualified Rosario from the office. In the State of Florida, felons cannot hold political office unless their civil rights are restored.  Rosario called the decision a win for him and for Groveland.

"We have suffered enough, it's time to move into the future,” said Rosario.

Rosario said he plans to go back to work at City Hall on Monday, though it’s unclear just how clear his path is and if it will remain clear.

Wilson, who filed the original suit, said over the phone Friday that it’s “just a matter of time” for Rosario to be back out of office. He said since the ruling just sends the case back to a lower court, the decision over his rights to hold office still has to be decided in a courtroom, and Wilson does not believe Rosario has met the qualifications.

"When we have the hearing, he will have to produce his pardon which we know he doesn't have from the State of Pansylvania, we know he doesn’t have from the State of Florida,” said Wilson.

Whether that’s the case or not, Rosario and his supporters said Friday that they are ready to get back to work and believe that he is qualified to hold that office.