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Ex-Officer Loses Appeal Of Ouster For Mayoral Bid

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By TOM BRENNAN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 26, 2008

Updated: 09/26/2008 04:04 pm

LAKELAND - Tampa had the right to force Capt. Marion Lewis to resign from the Tampa Police Department when he ran for mayor in 2007.

A three-judge panel today unanimously overturned a ruling by Hillsborough County Judge Marva L. Crenshaw that the city had overstepped its authority in forcing Lewis from his job.

The appeals court said Tampa's civil service rules and ordinances are clear that law enforcement officers must resign upon qualifying to run against anyone who has supervisory powers over them. Lewis maintained that civil service rules limit Mayor Pam Iorio's authority to supervise the police department.

Lewis said he was disappointed.

"Me and my attorneys will collectively review the ruling and see exactly where we go from here," he said.

Lewis received 12 percent of the vote in the March 2007 election. Iorio won her second term with about 80 percent of the vote.

The appeals court remanded the case for additional proceedings.

Reporter Tom Brennan can be reached at (813) 657-4528 or tbrennan@tampatrib.com.

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