New College employee detained for indecent exposure incidents at Sarasota mall

MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — The former chief spokesperson for Gov. Ron DeSantis and current director of marketing at New College was arrested Tuesday after police said he exposed himself multiple times, once in Manatee County and three times to employees at a Sarasota County mall over the course of eight months.

According to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office’s website, Frederick Piccolo Jr. was arrested Tuesday for one count of exposure of sexual organs.

His arrest report states he was driving through the Lakewood Ranch Country Club community in Manatee County on March 28, 2025, when he asked a woman for directions. According to the report, the woman gave him directions when Piccolo exposed himself to her in a vulgar manner.

On April 2, the report states the woman “confidently and quickly” identified Piccolo as the suspect in a photo lineup.

Piccolo was then connected to three open cases out of Sarasota County where he was charged with exposure of a sexual organ, spanning from August to September 2024.

On Aug. 22, 2024, Sarasota County investigators said Piccolo entered the Banana Republic at the University Town Center in Sarasota County, asking for help in a fitting room.

The incident report said Piccolo, shirtless, removed his shorts and exposed himself to the woman as she came to the dressing room. According to the report, he then began acting in a lewd manner towards her. The woman left the area, and Piccolo left the store without purchasing anything.

On Sept. 3, 2024, Sarasota County investigators said Piccolo entered the Dillard’s at the University Town Center, again asking for help in the dressing room, and again exposing himself to the woman who came to assist him.

He’s named in a similar incident the next day at the same Dillard’s store.

Piccolo was also the defendant in a civil lawsuit for claims he sent unwanted, unsolicited and “grossly offensive sexually harassing” texts and photos to Jackie Toledo while she was running for U.S. House in Florida’s 15th Congressional District in 2022.

The lawsuit claims Piccolo, working as Toledo’s campaign manager at the time, sent advice about breast augmentation to her and sent photos of himself in “various states of undress,” while at least one photo was sent of his erection.

The lawsuit was filed in Hillsborough County District Court but was later dropped by Toledo. Upon this new development, Toledo sent the statement below to 10 Tampa Bay

“What’s happened is heartbreaking, but sadly, not surprising. Piccolo’s behavior—marked by disturbing sexual tendencies, recurring exhibitionism, and a clearly PARAPHILIC nature—have long been evident. I came forward years ago and filed a lawsuit to stop Fred Piccolo’s behavior before it could harm others. I hoped it would spark accountability. Instead, he ignored the consequences, and now more victims have come forward.

To those impacted: I know how devastating and isolating this experience can be. His actions are inexcusable. I stand with you, and I admire your strength in speaking out. I hope law enforcement now takes the steps they should have taken long ago.
There should no longer exist any doubt regarding my past complaint against Piccolo. Through his own behavior, Piccolo has confirmed the allegations set forth in my complaint against him, which concluded in a confidential settlement.”

Piccolo remains in jail on a $100,000 bond. If he meets that, he is expected to wear an ankle monitoring device at his own cost and have no contact with any of the victims in these cases.