Smear Campaigns

 What is a Smear Campaign? Smear campaign is usually adopted by a rival political party or a candidate who intends to damage another political party or candidate’s reputation. Smear campaign is a tactic to bring down a person’s credibility. 

 A smear campaign is an intentional, premeditated effort to undermine an individual's or group's reputation, credibility, and character. Like negative campaigning, most often smear campaigns target government officials, politicians, political candidates, and other public figures.  

In Florida, dark money helps fuel the funding needed to run Smear Campaigns.

Candidates and their direct associates are committing a crime if they run a smear campaign in Florida, which is why they hire consultants.

Law:   Chapter 104 - 2021 Florida Statutes - The Florida Senate 

• Prohibiting a candidate from making false factual statements with malice about an opposing candidate.
  §104.271(2), F.S.

 104.271 False or malicious charges against, or false statements about, opposing candidates; penalty.—

(1) Any candidate who, in a primary election or other election, willfully charges an opposing candidate participating in such election with a violation of any provision of this code, which charge is known by the candidate making such charge to be false or malicious, is guilty of a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083 and, in addition, after conviction shall be disqualified to hold office.

(2) Any candidate who, in a primary election or other election, with actual malice makes or causes to be made any statement about an opposing candidate which is false is guilty of a violation of this code. An aggrieved candidate may file a complaint with the Florida Elections Commission pursuant to s. 106.25. The commission shall adopt rules to provide an expedited hearing of complaints filed under this subsection. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the commission shall assess a civil penalty of up to $5,000 against any candidate found in violation of this subsection, which shall be deposited to the account of the General Revenue Fund of the state.

Organizations affiliated:

• Florida Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee, Inc.
• Mentzer Media Services Inc.
• SIMWINS LLC.
• Citizens Alliance for Florida’s Economy.
• Make America Great Again PC.
• The Committee to Expose Fake Republicans.
• and others

 Business Partners:

1.  David Millner 

2. Thomas Piccolo 

 Alleged Associates:

Michael Millner, Wendy White, George Kraus 

How much in funding has he received? 

SWIMWINS alone has taken in over $35 Million dollars from mostly Republican origins, including Americans for Prosperity, a Koch Brothers organization.

Other Press:

 Randy Fine's Smear Tactics Exposed 

 Hatchet Man: Campaign consultant Anthony Pedicini wins big with shady politics, shadier money - Florida Trident 

 Hatchet man: Campaign consultant Anthony Pedicini wins big with shady politics, shadier money | WGCU PBS & NPR for Southwest Florida 

 Manatee County: Anthony Pedicini transformed local politics 

 Fact check: No, Tal Siddique did not commit 'stolen valor' (Updated) 

Officials with FJA made statements to Florida Politics such as “our PAC didn’t contribute one lick to that effort.” Technically, it never did. Instead, attorneys, including Michaels, donated individually to a committee called Floridians for Accountability, Freedom and Opportunity, which in turn donated to The Truth Matters, but money did not pass through the Florida Justice PAC.

The email from Michaels, however, leaves no doubt that FJA coordinated the rhetorical assault, despite opponents 19-percentage-point win, the email blast suggests that it was money well spent.

The FJA lost this race by 20 points. That’s right, 20 points. Despite spending more than $11 million on attack ads  

 The Truth Matters, started financing ads attacking the sitting House member. Immediately, ties to the law firm Woolsey Morcom were immediately apparent, and fundraising reports eventually showed trial attorneys from across Florida donated to the effort. Once Shoar filed, The Truth Matters started running ads supporting the candidate. 

 Negative political ads and their effect on voters: Updated collection of research 

 If you’re the victim of a ruthless smear campaign, you may feel helpless watching the attacks destroy your reputation. But you do have the power to fight back. While there’s no magic wand, the law provides remedies and tools. There are a few attorneys who have battled hundreds of smear campaigns and will walk you through your legal rights and options. They will cover everything from documenting the attacks to pursuing lawsuits and criminal charges. Please send us an email for a list of local attorneys.