Clarifying Claims and Records in the 7th Ward GOP Primary

In my 30-plus years as a news reporter, I have never recalled a political candidate declaring victory before the election results were certified. This isn’t mere overconfidence; it’s a calculated effort to create the illusion of a finalized outcome before the lawful process concludes. Unofficial returns show that only about 11 percent of registered Republicans in the 7th Ward voted for Chris Squitieri. His claim of a “decisive win” is misleading and appears intended to shape public perception and pressure his opponent into conceding.
Squitieri conflates facts with mudslinging, dismissing legitimate scrutiny as personal attacks. Though he champions transparency, he has withheld key facts about his background, specifically that he was terminated from the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office in 2019 following sustained allegations of sexual harassment and falsifying official documents. He later filed a federal lawsuit against the sheriff and others, alleging retaliation for reporting supposed discrimination against female deputies. The case was dismissed with prejudice in August 2021 following Squitieri’s multiple failed attempts to amend the complaint. The presiding judge described the filings as “shotgun pleadings”—vague and unfocused lawsuits that fail to state a clear legal claim (U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division; Federal RICO, 18 U.S.C.). These court records are publicly accessible.
Although he told the Palladium-Times in an interview published June 21, 2025, that he no longer resides in Florida, Squitieri continues to operate vehicles with permanent Florida plates. Florida law limits temporary out-of-state registration to 90 days, renewable once. Beyond that, permanent registration requires Florida residency. Meanwhile, New York law allows new residents only 30 days to surrender their out-of-state plates and register their vehicles locally.
Public records also reveal inconsistencies in his residency claims. He initially stated he had “spent nearly a decade” in the 7th Ward, but later claimed he had lived in Oswego “for extended periods” since 2018 to care for aging parents. Pasco County records show he was employed in Florida until May 2019. He purchased property in Oswego in June 2021, and voting records confirm that he voted in Florida in 2021. He registered to vote in New York in August 2022—just 15 days before taking out a home equity loan on the Oswego property, notarized in Florida and tied to a Florida address.
On his official campaign Facebook page, Mr. Squitieri wrote, “After pursuing higher education and career opportunities, I knew it was time to come back to Oswego, a place that’s always felt like home.” He claims he began living in Oswego in 2018. However, his 2016 résumé and job application to the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office show he spent his early years in Fluton, graduated from Countryside High School in Clearwater in 1985, and remained employed in Florida through at least May 2019. Public records show no evidence he lived in Oswego before 2018—raising the question: how can you return to a place you were never from?
These contradictions between his public narrative and documented facts raise serious questions about his credibility. Voters in the 7th Ward deserve honesty and accountability, not selective storytelling
For transparency: my son is Mr. Squitieri’s opponent. I uncovered these records while conducting broader research into city GOP candidates. As a journalist, my responsibility is to investigate and verify. My son ran a clean campaign and, like the rest of the public, first learned of these findings when I disclosed them.
Sincerely,
Carol Thompson

Print this entry