James Fishback, a Republican candidate for Florida governor, claimed the Department of Justice is investigating his primary opponent, Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL), for alleged sex trafficking claims, which the department denied.
During a press conference in Tallahassee on Thursday, Fishback based his allegations on information provided by a whistleblower seemingly familiar with the federal investigation. He did not take any questions from reporters after the press conference.
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Fishback alleged Donalds and embattled Rep. Cory Mills (R-FL) “solicited, procured, and paid women for sexual acts” on two separate occasions in 2024 at MGM National Harbor near Washington, D.C. Both Florida Republicans were sitting congressmen at the time. Fishback said he was “reluctant” to share the news publicly, noting he contacted Donalds before delivering the announcement.
“I specifically gave Congressman Donalds the opportunity to come before the public to share what he knew and to disclose the details of this investigation, and he chose not to,” Fishback said.
The DOJ allegedly expanded its investigation of Mills to include Donalds, according to Fishback and the anonymous whistleblower.
However, a DOJ law enforcement official denied that the department is investigating Donalds or Mills for federal sex trafficking. Rather, the official told the Washington Examiner that there is no investigation into Donalds and that the investigation into Mills is not sexual in nature. His investigation is finance-related, the official said. Mills has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
The Washington Examiner contacted Fishback’s campaign on the DOJ’s dismissal of his claims. The Washington Examiner also contacted Donalds and Mills for comment on the allegations.
“Completely false,” said Gates McGavick, communications director for Donalds’s campaign. “We will not be distracted by this baseless and defamatory sideshow, and neither should you.”
The congressman’s campaign pointed to a long list of items it wants Fishback to answer for, including the $1.3 million judgment he owes his former hedge fund employer, Greenlight Capital, and Broward County’s criminal investigation into his running mate, Sean Lozano.
At a prior press conference, Donalds called Fishback a “clown” for teasing the allegations.
“We’re at that point in the campaign where people are just throwing anything they can,” the congressman said this week before Fishback made the announcement. “The desperation speaks for itself. We’re focused on the next 14 days making sure we win the Republican nomination, and then we’re onto November to protect Florida and defend the Florida dream.”
On Thursday, Fishback said he directed his campaign not to run any ads attacking Donalds over the new allegations because “this is not political.” Though he promised not to bring up the allegations again, Fishback started posting about them on social media.
The businessman-turned-candidate disclosed the allegations less than two weeks before the Aug. 18 Republican primary. He is currently polling behind Donalds by double digits.
Donalds is endorsed by President Donald Trump. Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) has not weighed in on who he wants to succeed him, although he said former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner would make a “really good” governor despite his lackluster campaign.
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“He’s got a great record of policy,” DeSantis said of Renner. “But … what’s your strategy to get known?”
Notably, the governor’s comment was a snub of Lt. Gov. Jay Collins (R-FL), who is also running to replace DeSantis.
Kaelan Deese contributed to this report.
