Miami Commissioner Joe Carollo clashes with opposing attorney during civil trial testimony
MIAMI -- Miami Commissioner Joe Carollo on Monday took the stand in his own defense during a civil trial in which two of Little Havana's largest commercial property owners have accused him of using the power of his office to target them.
In the federal lawsuit filed in 2018, the owners maintained that Carollo used his political influence in order to have the city's code enforcement, police and fire departments harass businesses they run by shutting down events and slapping the merchants with violations.
One of those properties is the popular Ball & Chain restaurant and nightclub.
The owners are alleging that the political harassment cost them millions in profits, and claim Carollo's actions stem from them supporting a political opponent of Carollo in 2017. They're suing for $2.5 million and potential punitive damages.
During the trial, Carollo was called an "adverse witness" by Jeff Gutchess, the plaintiff's lead attorney, since the commissioner was a no show twice last week. Carollo explained the absence by saying he had asthma issues.
In court Monday, there were several tense exchanges between Carollo and Gutchess.
In one of them Carollo told Gutchess, "The only way you can win this case is not on the issues, it's from all the other stuff, (bringing) witnesses into court . . .to tell lies."
That's when Gutchess raised his voice and approached Carollo on the stand, saying "I have not lied to anyone in this courtroom . . . and you will not accuse me of that. Do you understand?"
The plaintiff's lead attorney questioned the commissioner all day about testimony given by previous witnesses.
In many cases Carollo said the witnesses were not telling the truth.
"We're going to keep count of the witnesses you say are lying," Gutchess said.
At the beginning of his testimony, Carollo said "I'm here to say the truth, the whole truth."
Carollo was told numerous times to just answer the questions and not add his own statements. At one point, the attorney called some of Carollo's answers "a rambling narrative."
Carollo's attorney is expected to cross examine him on Tuesday, which will give the Miami commissioner the opportunity to add his take on the questions posed by the plaintiff's attorney.
On Monday, Carollo refuted that claim, saying he never asked anyone to lie and has no reason to. When pressed he continued to call the allegations "ridiculous."
Carollo and the city have denied any wrongdoing.
