LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Louisville Metro Council Charging Committee made a recommendation to the full Metro Council to move forward with removing Councilman Anthony Piagentini, R-District 19.

“After a thorough review of the evidence in this matter and in light of the Ethics Commission’s recommendation for removal due to misconduct on the part of Councilman Piagentini, the Committee is obliged to uphold the integrity of the Metro Council and move forward with removal charges,” said Vice Chair Andrew Owen, D-District 9.

The committee has filed a written complaint with the Metro Council Clerk in compliance with state law. The Metro Council President, Markus Winkler, D-District 17, will deliver the complaint to the full council on Thursday, Nov. 30.

The ad hoc charging committee was formed at Winkler’s direction and was responsible for investigating ethics violations brought by the Louisville Metro Ethics Commission against Piagentini. The ethics commission handed down six unanimous guilty verdicts and recommended the removal of Piagentini.

Piagentini has charged the committee with partisan motivations and called for the public release of the evidence against him. 

He is accused of using his position with the city to get a $40 million grant for the Louisville Healthcare CEO Council, which hired him.

According to the report from the ethics commission, Piagentini took a job with the Healthcare CEO Council a day after Metro Council approved the grant. His fee for consulting services with Healthcare CEO Council was $240,000 for the year.

The seven members of the ethics commission recommended Piagentini be removed from his council position. They also recommended he pay a $500 fine for each violation.