New College Marketing Director Arrested: A Disturbing Pattern of Indecent Exposure
BRADENTON, Fla. – In a shocking turn of events, the director of media and marketing for New College of Florida’s admissions office, Frederick Joseph Piccolo Jr., has been arrested and charged with exposing his sexual organs, according to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. This incident has just added another layer of controversy and intrigue surrounding Piccolo, whose behavior has raised serious concerns.
The Arrest: A Critical Overview
On April 15, Piccolo, 47, was taken into custody and is currently being held at the Manatee County Jail with a bond set at $100,000. The arrest marks the latest chapter in a troubling saga, as this is the fourth set of charges brought against him in just eight months for similar indecent behavior.
In a well-documented statement, New College of Florida confirmed to ABC7 that “Fred Piccolo is no longer employed by the college,” illustrating the institution’s swift action in response to his arrest.
A Troubling History of Charges
Incidents of Indecency
According to a probable cause affidavit, the pattern of unsettling behavior began on August 22, 2024, when Piccolo was reported in a dressing room at the Banana Republic store located in University Town Center. Witness accounts from the store’s assistant manager detailed a disturbing scene: Piccolo had opened the dressing room door and was partially undressed—with swim trunks pulled down—while inappropriately touching himself and making eye contact with the manager. Alarmed, the manager left the vicinity, while Piccolo hastily dressed and exited the store.
Further investigations revealed that on September 3, 2024, another incident occurred at Dillard’s department store, also within UTC. An employee reported encountering Piccolo completely naked in the dressing area, where he allegedly willingly exposed himself to her. Following this encounter, he again dressed and left without making any purchases.
The very next day, Piccolo returned to the same store, where surveillance footage captured him once again disrobing in the dressing area, seemingly searching for the same employee who initially confronted him. After dressing and making a few purchases, he was observed leaving in a gray Kia, further compounding the bizarre nature of these incidents.
Beyond the Law: Piccolo’s Controversial Past
Before these incidents, Piccolo was a prominent figure in Florida politics, having served as Governor Ron DeSantis’s chief spokesperson. However, his tenure was short-lived, ending in 2020 following severe backlash from a misguided Christmas Eve tweet, where he downplayed the severity of COVID-19 deaths.
Additionally, in 2022, he faced legal troubles when former Florida State Representative Jackie Toledo sued him for allegedly sending her “unwanted, unsolicited, inappropriate and grossly offensive” text messages while serving as her campaign manager. Although Piccolo denied the allegations, the lawsuit was ultimately dropped by Toledo.
Looking Ahead: A Court Date Approaches
As the legal implications continue to unfold, a jury trial on the charges related to indecent exposure in Sarasota County is scheduled for May 27. The community will be watching closely, as the unfolding case not only highlights the gravity of the allegations against Piccolo but also raises questions about accountability and professional conduct in public roles.
For more comprehensive coverage on this developing story, stay tuned as we uncover the latest insights and information.
This ongoing saga of Frederick Joseph Piccolo Jr. serves as a reminder of the complexities surrounding individuals in positions of trust and influence. As New College of Florida grapples with the fallout from this incident, one cannot help but wonder how it will impact the institution’s reputation moving forward.
