First steps taken to recall Omaha City Councilman Vinny Palermo

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - While the councilman representing southeast Omaha has been in federal court facing nine felony counts including wire fraud, a concerned voter in his district has started the recall process — and the clock is ticking.

Douglas County Election Commissioner Brian Kruse told 6 News on Wednesday that a registered voter filed the petition form Tuesday to remove Vinny Palermo from the Omaha City Council. Incidentally, another county voter came in after the filing to do the same thing, but found the process had already been started.

Also on Tuesday, the Omaha City Council voted 5-0, with one member abstaining, to temporarily remove Palermo from the office of vice president after he was indicted on ni

RECALL PROCESS

In the next five days, the Election Commission will notify Palermo of the petition. He then has 20 days to submit a defense statement, and the process continues from there, potentially putting Palermo’s council seat in the hands of District 4 voters.

In this case, 35% of the voters registered for the last general election would need to sign the recall petition in 30 days in order for it to be successful. There were 7,034 voters at the time of the 2021 race, so that means it would take 2,462 signatures to trigger a recall vote. After that, the county has 15 days to verify the petition signatures.

At that time, if enough signatures were collected, the elected official can resign — or a recall election would need to be scheduled within 50-80 days. If voted out in a recall election, it’s effective immediately, at which point the City Council would appoint a replacement for the district.

In the April 2021 primary, Palermo had three opponents:

• Becky Barrientos-Patlan, who addressed the City Council on Tuesday during public comment on the rescinding of Palermo’s vice presidency, received 1,417 votes
• Ben Cass received 936 votes
• Sarah Smolen received 931 votes

The incumbent city councilman won the primary with 2,927 votes.

The process could take months — and may end up being moot if the judge keeps Palermo locked up: He would be automatically removed from the City Council for failing to show up in three months’ time. He has been in the Saunders County Jail since Friday, when he was arrested after being indicted by a federal grand jury, along with two retired Omaha Police officers and the chief fundraiser of LPOA Omaha.

In the meantime, if Palermo is recalled by the voters of his district, that would take effect immediately, at which point the City Council would vote to name a new member to replace his vacant seat.

CALLS FOR RESIGNATION

Several people have already called on Palermo to resign. Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert called for his resignation on Friday after his arrest was made public.

On Tuesday, the Nebraska Democratic Party called for the same, with the Douglas County GOP following suit on Wednesday.

“The Democratic Party believes voters deserve elected officials that are focused on the concerns of the community. We thank Council President Festersen and the majority of council members for acting quickly to remove Palmero from his leadership and committee assignments. It is our hope and expectation that Councilman Vinny Palermo will resign so the Council can take the next steps in appointing a qualified Nebraskan to represent District 4. Whether it is Trump, Fortenberry, or now Palermo, indicted elected officials and politicians should focus on their legal issues and either resign or not run for re-election.”

“The DCRP applauds the five members of the Omaha City Council who voted to remove Councilman Palermo as Vice Chairman after he was named in a federal indictment for the misuse of funds. Now he needs to fully resign so the residents of the 4th District can have representation on the council.

This is a blight on our city and calls into question any votes he may have taken as a councilman, and any future votes he may take. How can someone misuse funds intended to help at-risk youth and still sleep soundly at night? Does he have no conscience?

We call on Councilman Palermo to do the right thing and resign immediately, so the citizens of his district — his neighbors — can have fair and equal representation on the Omaha City Council.”

RELATED COVERAGE

Council temporarily removes Palermo from VP post

The Omaha City Council voted 5-0, with one councilmember abstaining, on Tuesday to temporarily remove Councilman Vinny Palermo from the office of vice president of the council.

Omaha City Councilmembers react to Palermo indictment

Council President Pete Festersen told 6 News on Monday that he had already stripped Palermo of his committee assignments.

Probation violation warrant filed on Councilman Palermo

When federal indictments were handed down Friday, Omaha Council Vice President Vinny Palermo was on probation after pleading guilty in 2019 to not filing three years of tax returns.

Retired Omaha officer pleads ‘not guilty’ in federal court

Following more than an hour of information from prosecutors regarding retired Omaha Police Officer Johnny Palermo on Monday, the judge ordered him held until trial. The other three arrested last week three will remain in custody until at least Wednesday.

Councilman, retired OPD officers among 4 arrested on federal charges

Two indictments detail fraudulent use of funds intended for LPOA, PACE

Details about the 4 men and their 41 charges

Documents allege perks funneled to Omaha Councilman Vinny Palermo; retired police officers involved in the cover-up of a sex assault investigation; and a man raising money for LPOA under an alias.

Mayor calls on councilman to resign; OPD chief ‘not shocked’

The Omaha city attorney said the city's charter doesn’t call for Councilman Vinny Palermo’s ouster unless he’s convicted.

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