A state appeals court Wednesday reversed a lower court and is denying a previously expelled New York City Council member from running for re-election to his old Bronx seat, interpreting his expulsion to qualify as “removal” under the city charter, thereby disqualifying him under term-limit rules.

The former council member, Andy King, was expelled in 2020 by his fellow council members after a standards and ethics committee recommended the sanction based on findings that he’d harassed staff, received a kickback from an aide and disregarded disciplinary measures, according to a news report from City & State New York and a copy of the committee report.