The Ellisville City Council has voted to remove Mayor Adam Paul from office on the grounds that he overreached the authority given to him by the city’s charter.
But it’s unlikely that the fight between Paul and the city is finished.
After Paul’s attorney, Chet Pleban, ended his closing statement he told the city council that the was going home to watch the NCAA men’s basketball championship game.
He said he already knew the council would find Paul guilty.
Before walking out of the St. John Lutheran School, where the hearing was held, Paul said he would file a lawsuit to appeal the ruling as soon as possible.
“They can make whatever decision they want up there, but that’s what the ultimate goal is, to get back in the mayor’s seat,” Pual said.
Paul and his legal team have repeatedly called the entire process unfair and said that it stemmed in large part from Paul’s opposition to tax breaks for a new Walmart.
Former mayor and city council member, Matt Pirrello, disagreed and said Paul received a fair hearing.
Ultimately, Pirrello said, Paul overstepped the authority given to him by the city’s charter.
“I believe that at any point in time when someone doesn’t comport themselves within the confines of the charter they have to answer to the people, and I believe that is in fact what happened,” Pirrello said.
Pirrello said that the council will now move to select a new mayor to serve a one year term, after which a special election will be held. But he did say that the council, which will be comprised of new members elected last week, could have the authority to reinstate Paul as mayor.
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