TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – State Rep. Jackie Toledo, a Tampa Republican who misplaced a main bid for a congressional seat in August, has filed a lawsuit accusing campaign manager Fred Piccolo — a former spokesman for Gov. Ron DeSantis — of sending her “unwanted, unsolicited, inappropriate and grossly offensive harassing text messages and images.”
The messages, which had been connected as displays within the lawsuit filed Monday in Hillsborough County, embody bare-chested selfies of Piccolo and feedback about his spouse’s breast-augmentation surgical procedure.
The lawsuit accuses Piccolo of sending the graphic messages to goad her into firing him “to collect no less than $100,000″ pursuant to a “termination penalty” included in his campaign contract.
The text messages “included images of a sexual and inappropriate nature,” the lawsuit mentioned.
“At least one image involved Mr. Piccolo taking a photo of his erection, while others involved Mr. Piccolo in various states of undress, generally only wearing undergarments,” Tampa lawyer Dale Swope wrote within the 30-page criticism, calling the messages “not only inappropriate, but particularly offensive when they were, at times, sent in response to campaign-related questions.”
But Piccolo, 44, advised The News Service of Florida on Tuesday that the messages had been pleasant “banter” and that Toledo by no means complained to him about them.
“I’ve known Jackie Toledo for over 10 years. I considered her a friend. At all times our relationship was professional and we engaged in banter back-and-forth as most friends do on campaigns. At no time did she express any outrage or offense at any of our banter. On the contrary Jackie always encouraged me in my exercise journey for my health as she knew of my condition. In addition at no time did I ask to be fired or thought I was fired I intended to work on the campaign until the last day of the primary,” Piccolo, who has been identified with Parkinson’s illness, mentioned in a text message.
Toledo didn’t chastise Piccolo in any texts included within the lawsuit, which seeks unspecified damages.
Piccolo accused Toledo of submitting the lawsuit to keep away from paying him a $25,000 “bonus” payment if she misplaced the race. According to the lawsuit, the cost was “contingent on a loss” within the main.
“It is hurtful and unfortunate that Jackie would allege what she does rather than pay me what I’d (sic) owed,” Piccolo mentioned.
When requested if he intends to problem Toledo’s criticism, Piccolo mentioned he’s contemplating a counter-lawsuit.
Piccolo labored as spokesman for former House Speaker Richard Corcoran and former House Speaker Jose Oliva, earlier than being appointed as DeSantis’ chief spokesman in July 2020.
Piccolo left the governor’s workplace in January 2021 for a submit on the state Department of Education’s Division of State Colleges. Corcoran was secretary of the Department of Education on the time.
Toledo employed Piccolo’s firm, Piccolo Strategic Communications, two months after she entered a Republican main for a congressional seat that was open after redistricting.
Toledo’s opponents within the five-way GOP main included former Secretary of State Laurel Lee and Senate Appropriations Chairwoman Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland. Lee cruised to victory within the main, receiving greater than 41 % of the vote.
The text messages included as displays within the lawsuit present friction between Piccolo and Toledo within the weeks main as much as Election Day.
Less than three weeks earlier than the Aug. 23 election, Piccolo advised Toledo that DeSantis requested him to “help direct the communications efforts” of the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office after the governor suspended twice-elected State Attorney Andrew Warren, a Democrat, from the submit.
“Doesn’t mean I’m leaving the campaign I can still do work for both I’m working as a consultant for the governors project. But when the governor calls you don’t say no especially when I worked for him before,” Piccolo wrote in a 6:48 a.m. text on Aug. 5, a day after DeSantis introduced Warren’s suspension.
“I don’t even know what to say because I am 17 days out. And I can’t think of anything but,” she responded, referring to the upcoming main whereas additionally asking a couple of mailer and for a gathering that day.
Days later, the campaign manager lashed out at Toledo for contacting DeSantis’ workplace.
“Don’t ever call one of my clients again,” Piccolo texted Toledo on Aug 11.
“Excuse me?” she responded.
“You called the governor office. That is stepping over a line,” he texted.
“I want to know if there a conflict of interest? You have an active contract with me,” she replied.
“You have no business calling one of my clients and asking about my contract. My contract is with you,” Piccolo wrote, including, “I’m an independent contractor and I set my own hours. There is no conflict of interest. If you don’t feel I’m doing a good job for you and then fire me. You don’t call my other clients and ask what my contract is.”
State data present Piccolo was paid $5,000 on Sept. 9 and one other $5,000 on Oct. 5 from “state attorney operating expenditures” for the thirteenth Judicial Circuit.
Piccolo advised the News Service that he’s “on call” for the workplace however “haven’t done any work for a while.”
In addition to working communications for the House and the governor, Piccolo’s resume contains stints as chiefs of employees for GOP campaigns and elected officers.
The phrases of Piccolo’s contract with Toledo drew questions after the lawsuit was filed. While employees typically are paid bonuses for profitable campaigns, “losing” bonuses aren’t widespread.
“Not only have I never heard of a loss bonus, it’s outrageous,” Steve Vancore, a political marketing consultant who has labored on greater than 250 campaigns, mentioned in a telephone interview Tuesday. Vancore, who normally works for Democrats, famous that he has not labored on a congressional campaign.
Toledo and Piccolo additionally tangled over some bills, the text messages present. According to federal campaign finance data, Toledo’s campaign paid Piccolo $27,370.83, together with a closing cost of $4,000 on Aug. 4.
In one change, she advised Piccolo to “scan your receipts next time. You are the CM. You are supposed to be the organized one. Not me.”
“I agree but in this case whatever I paid for out of that money I didn’t want a record of,” he replied.
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