GROVELAND — Groveland Mayor George Rosario has been stripped of all authority that goes along with the post after Lake County Circuit Court Judge Don Briggs ruled that Rosario is not eligible to hold public office.

The ruling alleges that Rosario failed to apply for a pardon to have his full civil rights restored after a felony drug conviction more than 30 years ago in Pennsylvania.

The ruling, signed Wednesday, was accompanied by an injunction ordering the city to take Rosario's authority and a 20-day summons demanding an explanation as to why Rosario is still serving. It also asked that officials declare a forfeiture of office on his behalf since Florida’s Constitution prohibits convicted felons from holding office unless clemency is granted for full restoration of civil rights.

The emergency evidentiary hearing that led to the ruling was granted to Eustis attorney Derek Schroth on behalf of his client, and Groveland resident Glen Wilson. Wilson ran for mayor against Rosario in the November election.

“The bottom line is that Mr. Rosario is definitely not eligible to hold public office. He has not applied for clemency anywhere,” Schroth said.

The City Council was set to discuss removing Rosario from his post last week but the matter was tabled after interim City Manager Rodney Lucas asked for further research of applicable laws.

Rosario’s attorney, Jim Jimenez, said that Pennsylvania law automatically restores civil rights after the sentence is served. He said Florida must honor Pennsylvania law because that is where the crime was committed.

Schroth said the automatic restoration of rights applies to voting rights, but when it comes to the right to serve on a jury, hold public office or bear arms, one must apply for a pardon.

Rosario said he has talked to court officials in Pennsylvania, but has been unable to get verification of a pardon. Rosario said the burden of proof lies in the hands of the plaintiff and only the governor can remove him from office.

“I am the mayor of this city. I will not step down and I will not resign. I am all the people’s mayor, they voted me in and I have a lot of support,” Rosario said. “This whole matter is coming from certain people that cannot accept the results and transition of culture, the good ol' boy clique and corruption that exists in this town.”

On Friday, Jimenez said his plan is to have Briggs’ injunction dissolved for various procedural errors, one being that the defendant named in the documents is "The City of Groveland," though the focus is clearly Rosario.

Jimenez said that is why he was not able to attend the hearing or present evidence on behalf of his client. Jimenez said Groveland City Attorney Anita Geraci was there in defense of the city but presented the same findings against Rosario’s eligibility to hold public office she’d relayed at Tuesday’s meeting.

Jimenez said the ruling could also constitute disenfranchisement of the people of Groveland who voted for Rosario.

“We have people here, including the guy who lost to Mr. Rosario, involved in the snuffing out of the mayor by any means possible. The judge was not able to see both sides,” Jimenez said. “Plus we have a claim that is woefully filed and wrongfully named. I want my client treated fairly and fairly to me is not that he gets his way no matter what, but that we vent this out in the proper way.”

Schroth said he and his client decided not to sue Rosario but the city instead, because city officials are the ones who need to take action.

“The next step is that the council will declare forfeiture of his (Rosario's) office or the judge will and he’ll be out,” Schroth said.