TAMPA -- An outgoing state representative who lost a Congressional primary earlier this year is suing her former campaign manager, alleging he sent her explicit and harassing texts.
Tampa Republican Jackie Toledo has filed a civil suit in Hillsborough Circuit Court accusing Fred Piccolo of sending her “unwanted, unsolicited, inappropriate and grossly offensive harassing text messages and images.” According to the suit, those include bare-chested selfies and comments about his wife's breast surgery. She accuses him of trying to goad her into firing him, so he could collect a $100,000 termination penalty in his contact.
Piccolo tells the News Service of Florida those messages were "friendly banter" and Toledo never complained.
“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 diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, said in a text message.
Piccolo accused Toledo of trying to get out of paying him a $25,000 bonus by filing the lawsuit. He says he is considering a countersuit.
Piccolo has also worked as spokesman for Governor DeSantis and Richard Corcoran when the latter was House Speaker.
The suit also reveals that Piccolo was involved in helping the governor direct messaging at the Hillsborough State Attorney's Office after the governor suspended Andrew Warren in early August. An exchange of texts included Piccolo telling Toledo not to "call one of my clients again," referring to DeSantis.
Toledo competed in the Republican primary for Florida U.S. House District 15, ultimately losing to former Secretary of State Laurel Lee.
Information and text from the News Service of Florida was used in this report.
Photo: Florida House of Representatives/Canva