Key Takeaways:
- James Fishback, a Republican candidate for governor of Florida, was accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a minor in 2022.
- The allegations led to Fishback’s organization, Incubate Debate, losing ties with several school districts in Florida.
- Fishback has denied the allegations, calling them "completely false" and claiming he was "fully exonerated" after two court hearings.
- The woman who made the allegations, Keinah Fort, filed a petition for an order of protection against Fishback, which was denied by a judge.
- Fishback’s campaign has ties to top aides of Governor Ron DeSantis, despite his claims of having "no political relationships" with DeSantis’ team.
Introduction to the Allegations
The allegations against James Fishback, a Republican candidate for governor of Florida, have raised concerns about his character and fitness for office. According to interviews and records reviewed by NBC News, Fishback was accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a minor in 2022. The allegations led to Fishback’s organization, Incubate Debate, losing ties with several school districts in Florida. Fishback has denied the allegations, calling them "completely false" and claiming he was "fully exonerated" after two court hearings.
The Allegations and Investigation
The allegations against Fishback were first made by Aebony Moore, the mother of a student who participated in Incubate Debate. Moore sent an email to several school districts in Florida, including the Broward County School District, alleging that Fishback had an inappropriate relationship with a minor. The email led to an investigation by the Broward County School District, which ultimately cut ties with Fishback and his organization. Fishback has claimed that the allegations were "false" and that he was "exonerated" after an investigation by the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Department. However, the department has said that it has no records of an investigation into Fishback.
The Woman Behind the Allegations
The woman who made the allegations against Fishback, Keinah Fort, has filed a petition for an order of protection against him. According to court records, Fort alleged that Fishback "initiated a romantic relationship" with her in spring 2022, when she was 17 and he was 27. Fort also alleged that Fishback directed her to keep the relationship a secret and that he lost his temper and threw things at her on multiple occasions. Fishback has denied the allegations, claiming that Fort suffered from mental health issues that predated their relationship.
Fishback’s Response and Denial
Fishback has responded to the allegations by denying them and claiming that he was "fully exonerated" after two court hearings. He has also claimed that the allegations were made by a "spiteful mother" who was trying to get back at him. Fishback has also threatened to sue the Moore family for defamation, but no lawsuit was ever filed. Fishback’s denial of the allegations has been consistent, but the evidence and testimony of others have raised questions about his credibility.
Ties to DeSantis’ Team
Fishback’s campaign has ties to top aides of Governor Ron DeSantis, despite his claims of having "no political relationships" with DeSantis’ team. Christina Pushaw, one of DeSantis’ top aides, has been in contact with Fishback, and another aide, Taryn Fenske, has coordinated a response to an NBC News inquiry. DeSantis has not yet endorsed in the race, and it is unclear whether he was directly aware of his aides’ involvement with Fishback.
Conclusion and Implications
The allegations against James Fishback have raised serious concerns about his character and fitness for office. While Fishback has denied the allegations, the evidence and testimony of others have raised questions about his credibility. The ties between Fishback’s campaign and DeSantis’ team have also raised questions about the governor’s involvement in the race. As the campaign for governor of Florida heats up, the allegations against Fishback are likely to remain a major issue.
