Former New College official now facing felonies after indecent exposure accusations
SARASOTA, Fla. (WFLA) — A former New College of Florida official and former spokesperson for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is now facing felony charges after authorities said he exposed himself to multiple people over the course of several months.
Fredrick Piccolo Jr.'s charges were upgraded from misdemeanors to felonies this week, according to Sarasota County jail records. He faces three counts of exposure of sexual organs — each of which is considered a third-degree felony due to it being a second or subsequent offense.
'Pure evil': Lakeland man sets house on fire with roommates inside, Judd says
The man who once played a prominent role in Florida politics was arrested by the Manatee County Sheriff's Office in April after deputies said he exposed himself to a woman while asking her for directions.
He's also accused of exposing himself to multiple people at department stores in the University Town Center Mall in Sarasota. Court records show the incidents occurred between Aug. 22 and Sept. 4 of last year.
Piccolo worked as the director of communications for DeSantis' office from August 2020 to December 2021 before he resigned over a controversial social media post. He also held leadership roles with the Florida Speaker of the House and New College in Sarasota.
His father, Rick Piccolo, told News Channel 8 that a worsening medical condition has contributed to his son's 'impulsive and compulsive behaviors,' including 'hypersexual activities.'
The Piccolo family provided a statement this week saying they have sought medical and mental health services to help him recover. The family's full statement is below.
While our family is deeply saddened and surprised by the accusations contained in the arrest reports, our son Fred Jr. was diagnosed with early onset Parkinson's disease about ten years ago. As the disease has progressed, he has had various and increasing medications for the affliction. One of the listed side effects of the medications, particularly the dopamine agonists he is taking, is impulsive and compulsive behaviors, including gambling and hypersexuality activities.
We are very sorry that any individuals were subjected to any inappropriate conduct, and we have already started the medical and mental health services necessary to return him to the wonderful and caring individual we knew before this decade of doctor prescribed medication.
Rick Piccolo
Jail records show Piccolo Jr. was booked into jail on the upgraded charges on May 21, but bonded out two days later.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
23 minutes ago
- Yahoo
6-year-old boy missing near Lutz found safe, deputies say
LUTZ, Fla. (WFLA)— A missing child alert has been canceled for a missing six-year-old who was last seen in the Lutz area. Pasco County Sheriff's have found Axel Rhodes, 6, and Jennifer Breeding, 52. Rhodes has dirty blonde hair and brown eyes. He was last seen on Friday around 1:15 a.m. in the Dale Mabry Highway area of Lutz. Rhodes was last seen wearing a multi-colored button-up shirt, jeans, and no shoes. According to deputies, Rhodes was last seen traveling with Jennifer Breeding, a 52-year-old who is also missing. Breeding is 5'4″, around 150 pounds, with gray hair and hazel eyes. She was last seen wearing blue jeans. Breeding could be driving a green 2017 Chevrolet Camaro SS with black racing stripes, and has an Arkansas tag ULLOSE. Anyone with information on their whereabouts is asked to call Pasco Sheriff's at 727-847-8102. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Newsweek
3 hours ago
- Newsweek
Ron DeSantis Blocks Repeal of 'Free Kill' Medical Malpractice Law
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has blocked a bill which would have repealed a so-called "free kill" medical malpractice law in the state. Why It Matters This year, the Florida legislature approved a bill that would have repealed a 1990 Florida law that bars unmarried adult children over the age of 25 and their parents from recovering medical malpractice damages in cases involving the deaths of their parents or children. This law has been known as the "free kill" law and Florida is the only state in which it exists, having been signed into law by then-Governor Lawton Chiles. Since 2017, Florida has had no caps on pain and suffering awards in medical malpractice suits because the Florida Supreme Court ruled them unconstitutional. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a public event where he announced he would sign a bill banning the use of fluoride in public water systems, Tuesday, May 6, 2025, in Miami. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a public event where he announced he would sign a bill banning the use of fluoride in public water systems, Tuesday, May 6, 2025, in Miami. AP Photo/Lynne Sladky The state House approved the measure 104 votes to 6. On May 1, the Senate passed it 33 votes to 4 and rejected an amendment that would have included caps. What To Know DeSantis said the bill lacked limits on damages and claimed this would make it harder for the state to recruit doctors. He said the proposal could "open flood gates" for litigation. What People Are Saying DeSantis said: "If you don't have those caps, then you really are incentivizing a lot more litigation to take place in the state of Florida. None of that is free lunch. Somebody will have to pay for it. And unfortunately, I think if this bill became law, I do think the cost would be borne by the physicians, who would potentially flee the state, to people that wouldn't have as much access to care." Florida law firm Palmer Lopez previously described the law as one of the Sunshine State's "most controversial medical malpractice statutes," adding that: "If you do not have a surviving spouse or any children younger than 25, the grim reality is that you're the sole individual with the legal standing to initiate a wrongful death claim against the doctor. Tragically, by the time your case could potentially reach court, you would no longer be alive to see it through [ …] While the situation may sound absurd, it, in fact, describes the reality of many medical malpractice victims in Florida." Jacksonville Republican Senator Clay Yarborough previously said: "This is a 35-year-old law that needs to be repealed. It's unjust. It shouldn't be on the books." Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joe Ladapo said: "The wise thing to do in that situation is to have caps in that situation. Frankly, it's insane to have a system with no caps on noneconomic damages." What Happens Next The legislature could override DeSantis' veto in the next week. Meanwhile, DeSantis signed new legislation on Wednesday that will impose tougher penalties on individuals who abandon pets during natural disasters.
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
‘My son died, and Florida law allowed it': Medical Malpractice bill vetoed
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The state's so-called 'free kill' law is here to stay. Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Thursday that he is vetoing a bill that would have allowed more families to file wrongful death lawsuits against hospitals. 'Lack of communication' led to unpermitted group home where murder occurred, Bartow official says The bill was aimed to close what supporters call a deadly legal loophole. DeSantis said he is protecting the state's health care system, but families today told us he's protecting the wrong people. 'My son Jo-Jo died, and Florida law allowed it,' said Marcy Shepler, a supporter of HB 6017. A group of families gathered in downtown Tampa with stories that differ in detail, but the outcome is the same. Family members said their loved ones died in Florida hospitals, and state law still denies them a chance to hold anyone accountable. 'One single signature could have restored justice for many families,' Sabrina Davis said. The bill aimed to close a legal loophole that prevents some parents and children from suing for non-economic damages like pain and suffering when a loved one dies due to medical negligence. 'It will lead to higher costs for Floridians,' DeSantis said. 'It will lead to less access to care for Floridians, and it would make it harder for us to keep, recruit and maintain physicians in the state of Florida.' 'But what we saw today is that Governor DeSantis basically said that, you know, our loved ones are collateral damage in the health care system so that we can keep the health care and the insurance lobbyists' costs down,' said one HB 6017 supporter named Lauren. DeSantis said the state needs caps to prevent costly lawsuits and protect access to care. But some families argues those same caps let hospitals avoid accountability. 'Well, now all they have to do is have the goal of let's make it cost more than the caps, and you're right back where you were,' Travis Creighton said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
