Palm Bay, Florida – A Palm Bay City Councilman who was arrested by police last year on suspicion of having cocaine hidden in a sock and driving while intoxicated is running for re-election.
Peter Filiberto just filed paperwork Wednesday to once again represent taxpayers after resigning following his arrest.
FOX 35 reached out to all the candidates running for Seat 3 on the Palm Bay City Council, and some are shocked, while others are frustrated that this shouldn't have happened.
“I think the Palm Bay community deserves better,” said Chandler Langevin, who is also running for Seat 3.
“I'm a little upset about it,” said David Karns, who is running for the same seat.
Opponents are angry and frustrated that he has entered the race after his arrest and a vacant city council seat sparked controversy in the city.
“The city has had a long history of corruption and criminals holding public office for decades,” Langevin added.
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Another opponent, Michael Bruyette, released a statement to FOX 35:
I, Michael J. Bruett, would like to officially ask Fox 35 News why Mr. Peter Filiberto is being allowed to run for Palm Bay City Council Seat 3. This person had a chance to be a city council member, but he was arrested on charges including cocaine possession, destroying the trust our community had in him. And the public still has not received an answer to these charges. The question remains, how did he get away with this? Some may compare him to me, but our situations are completely different. First, I was not a city council member nearly 40 years ago when I committed my crimes. I did not betray the community's trust as a city council member. Second, I took responsibility for the crimes I committed nearly 40 years ago. Has Mr. Filiberto taken responsibility? At the very least, I deserve the community's trust because I am more transparent than anyone else, I will always speak up, and I will remove those who cannot be trusted in the community.
Peter Filiberto also released a statement to FOX 35 about his decision to run for reelection.
Former City Councilman Peter Filiberto filed paperwork (05/29) with the Palm Bay City Clerk to run for Seat 3.
Life is full of challenges. Whether it is self-inflicted or external circumstances. Many people overcome trials and tribulations, but it is important to learn from them. I have been called a drug addict, a cocaine addict, and even had my face photoshopped into a Scarface character. I learned that I could easily neglect my health and become a statistic. Now I have a great support system, including my family and friends. Over the past year, I have received many encouraging letters. I am grateful that residents have not turned their backs on me, knowing that I would never turn my back on any resident. My goal and priority is to make Palm Bay a better community. We residents still have work to do.
Some candidates say there hasn't been enough time left for the community to trust him again.
“It's too early to jump back into this job. He clearly can't last two years, why four?” Kearns asked.
Another candidate, Eileen Sepp, told FOX 35 she has no problem with his candidacy.
I welcome Filiberto into the race for Seat 3. Our election laws allow him to declare his candidacy. I trust the residents of Palm Bay to assess the quality of each candidate and determine who will best represent their voice.
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The only charge to which Filiberto pleaded guilty was driving while intoxicated, according to county clerk documents.
He was supposed to be on two years' probation on the drug charges, but new documents show a judge lifted that probation in March.
With Filiberto joining the race, there are now six candidates vying for your vote for Palm Bay's No. 3 Congressional Seat.
At this time, FOX 35 has not received any comment from current City Councilman Randy Foster, who currently holds Seat 3, about this new race.
