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SARASOTA, Fla. (WFLA) A New College of Florida official and former spokesperson for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was arrested Tuesday and charged with exposure of sexual organs.
Fredrick Piccolo Jr., 47, was arrested by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office on a warrant, according to jail records.
Piccolo went before a Manatee County Judge on Wednesday afternoon after his arrest the day before.
Piccolo once played a prominent role in Florida politics, but the recent charges threaten to cast a shadow over his past public service.
The warrant for Piccolo’s arrest alleged he exposed himself to a woman after stopping his car and asking for directions. He was charged with exposure of sexual organs (subsequent offense).
Piccolo was also accused of exposing himself to multiple people at department stores in the University Town Center Mall in Sarasota between Aug. 22 and Sept. 4 of last year, court records show.
On Aug. 22, he was alleged to have touched himself inappropriately in front of a Banana Republic employee at the fitting rooms. Sarasota County deputies described the incident as “an unwelcomed act.”
He was accused of exposing his genitals to two Dillard’s sales associates, also outside of a fitting room, on Sept. 3. The next day, the sheriff’s office said he returned to the store and exposed himself to an employee, again at the fitting rooms.
Piccolo was charged with four counts of exposure of sexual organs, according to Sarasota County court records. He has entered a not guilty plea.
“This is disturbing that someone with this much proximity, this close proximity to the Governor, who’s been put in a position of authority at New College, has had these disturbing charges leveled against him,” said Andrew Warren, former state attorney.
Piccolo worked as director of communications for Desantis’ office from August 2020 to December 2020, when he resigned over a controversial social media post. He also held leadership roles with the Florida House speaker and New College in Sarasota.
Warren, who was suspended by Desantis, said he doesn’t know Piccolo personally but that the accusations raise questions about whether Piccolo may have shown warning signs during his past public service.
“Getting arrested for indecent exposure not once, but four times, speaks for itself,” he said. “I think the more important questions here are: Why has this man been in the governor’s inner circle? Why was he brought into the state attorney’s office by Suzy Lopez after she was illegally appointed? Those are the questions the public deserves to answer.”
affiliate WFLA reached out to State Attorney Suzy Lopez’s office.
A spokesperson wrote: “He was a short-term contractor with our office and that relationship ended in 2022.”
A governor’s spokesperson said, “He hasn’t worked here in over 4 years.”
Most recently, Piccolo was the director of marketing and media at New College of Florida. WFLA asked New College about Piccolo’s arrest. A spokesperson only said: “Fred Piccolo is no longer employed by the college.”
Piccolo’s family told WFLA there is a medical reason for his arrests. His father, Fred Piccolo, shared this message:
“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 will seek the medical and mental health services necessary to return him to the wonderful and caring individual we knew before this decade of medication he has endured. Thank you for the opportunity to respond and we will not have any further comments as we work to heal our son.”
It will now be up to a court to decide what role this claim could play regarding the charges facing Piccolo.