Stoddard speaks after investigation report

SOUTH MIAMI, Fla. (WSVN) -- South Miami's mayor is speaking out after a 7News investigation involving his behavior.

As he gave the State of the City address on Thursday, South Miami Mayor Philip Stoddard noticed the circumstances. "And as you can see I'm a master of timing," he commented.

More than a hundred people attended the mayor's annual address.

Stoddard spoke to 7News and said he was upset with a 7News investigation behind his alleged behavior. "I'm extremely disappointed at the quality of journalism. No one looked at the police report, no one looked at the consistencies," he said. "It's disgusting. It's slanderous, and my family and friends are deeply offended."

A police report indicated that Stoddard admitted to being naked during a reported burglary at his home last spring.

Stoddard said a 16-year-old exchange student and daughter were sleeping in his bedroom. The student told police she saw a man in a mask and, "that she screamed and ran into the bathroom until she heard Stoddard's voice ... she noticed that Stoddard was not clothed."

7News had requested an on-camera interview with Stoddard several times, but never received any responses until Thursday night.

Stoddard said, "Absolutely nothing happened."

South Miami Commissioner Valerie Newman brought up the issue at last week's meeting when Stoddard and two other commissioners voted to fire the city manager. "It's about him being naked in his room with two..." said Newman.

"You are out of order," Stoddard interrupted, hitting a gavel.

Newman said Stoddard's vote had a motivation. "I think that it's as a result, even though he didn't say so, of the heat being put on him regarding his being naked in the house with this exchange student," said Newman.

"As a result, even though he didn't't say so, the he being put on him regarding his being naked in the house with the exchange student," said Newman.

Several residents protested the firing of the city manager outside of the State of the City address. One of the protesters said they want to see the mayor recalled. "He wants to be a strong mayor, and we are a manager form of government and commission form of government," said a resident.

Reporter: "Why are so many people upset?"

Stoddard: "Not many people are upset. Most people who are upset, are upset that my family has been attacked. We have a huge outpouring of support for the community."

(Copyright 2012 by Sunbeam Television Corp. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)