A judge has blocked the city of Groveland from recognizing George Rosario as mayor of the city, following a lawsuit by Rosario's election opponent, who claims he was not qualified to run for office.

  • Groveland mayoral candidate pushing to oust Mayor George Rosario
  • Rosario had 2 felony convictions from Pennsylvania; opponent says it disqualifies him
  • Rosario says he never lost his civil rights because he never went to prison
  • PREVIOUS STORY: Groveland delays vote to oust mayor over felonies

Glen Wilson, who ran against Rosario in November, and his attorney say Rosario's two felony convictions from Pennsylvania in 1987 preclude him from running for office.

Florida law says a convicted felon cannot vote or hold office, even after completing a sentence, until their civil rights are restored.

Rosario, who only served probation for the two cocaine-related charges and never went to prison, says he never lost his rights in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania law only takes a felon's voting rights away while they serve a prison sentence.

On Tuesday night, Groveland officials voted to table Wilson's request to oust Rosario.

On Wednesday Wilson sued the city, and a judge blocked the city from recognizing Rosario's authority as mayor, saying Wilson's case has a good chance of succeeding based on Florida law, and that the injunction serves the public interest.

Groveland now has 20 days to show why Rosario should keep his seat.