Updated Aug. 18, 2026, at 3:25 p.m.
PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — Republican congressional candidate Michael Carbonara is pushing back against allegations contained in a cybercrime complaint reportedly submitted to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, calling the accusations a political “dirty trick” as voters cast ballots Tuesday in Florida’s contentious 22nd Congressional District primary.
The Floridian reported Tuesday that it obtained a complaint submitted through the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, known as IC3, alleging potential cybercrimes involving Carbonara.
The submission of an IC3 complaint does not by itself establish that the FBI has opened a criminal investigation, nor does it establish wrongdoing by the person named in a complaint.
The Florida Pundit has not independently confirmed that the FBI has opened an investigation into Carbonara.
The allegations arrive on Election Day in a Republican primary that has become increasingly contentious as candidates compete for the nomination in the newly drawn congressional district.
Complaint Raises Cybercrime Allegations
According to The Floridian, the complaint alleges conduct involving electronic communications and other online activity connected to Carbonara.
The outlet published images it identified as portions of the complaint and characterized the matter as an FBI investigation.
However, IC3 serves as the FBI’s central reporting mechanism for suspected internet crimes. Complaints submitted through the system can be analyzed and potentially referred to law enforcement agencies, but submission of a complaint alone does not demonstrate that federal agents have opened an investigation into its subject.
The Florida Pundit has sought to distinguish between the existence of the reported complaint and any independently confirmed federal investigation.
Explicit Attack Website Becomes Part of CD-22 Fight
The allegations also intersect with another controversy surrounding the increasingly bitter CD-22 Republican primary.
The Floridian reported that an explicit attack website targeted Republican candidate Belinda Keiser while appearing to attribute the material to fellow candidate Casey Askar.
According to the outlet, an unnamed source connected to one of the campaigns alleged that Carbonara was responsible for the website rather than Askar.
The Florida Pundit has not independently verified who created or operated the website.
Neither the existence of the website nor an allegation from an unnamed political source establishes that Carbonara was responsible for it.
The dispute comes after weeks of increasingly aggressive attacks among candidates competing for the Republican nomination.
Carbonara, Keiser and Askar have emerged as prominent candidates in the crowded Republican primary.
Carbonara Previously Faced Copyright Questions
The latest allegations follow separate questions surrounding copyright and trademark complaints connected to coverage of Carbonara.
The Florida Pundit previously reported on allegations that copyright and trademark claims were being used against media outlets covering the congressional candidate.
Those claims raised questions about efforts to restrict or remove political reporting and online material involving Carbonara as the Republican primary approached.
The new cybercrime complaint is separate from those copyright disputes, and the existence of either controversy does not establish criminal conduct.
High-Stakes CD-22 Primary Reaches Election Day
Florida’s newly configured 22nd Congressional District has attracted significant spending and attention during the Republican primary.
Campaign finance reports previously showed millions of dollars flowing into the race, with Carbonara, Keiser and Askar among its best-funded candidates.
The increasingly contentious campaign has also featured disputes over candidates’ political histories, campaign spending, outside groups and attacks circulated online.
Republican voters will decide Tuesday who advances to the Nov. 3 general election.
The Florida Pundit contacted Carbonara’s campaign seeking comment on the allegations and had not received a response as of publication. This article will be updated if the campaign responds or federal authorities provide additional information.
Carbonara Denies Allegations, Calls Report Defamation
Carbonara pushed back against the allegations Tuesday, characterizing them as a last-minute political attack intended to damage his campaign on Election Day.
In a statement posted on X, Carbonara described the accusations as a political “dirty trick” and rejected the claims being circulated against him.
His response comes as voters decide the Republican primary in Florida’s 22nd Congressional District. The allegations contained in the complaint have not been proven, and the submission of a complaint through the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center does not establish that federal authorities have opened an investigation or determined that a crime occurred.
Related Coverage
- Copyright Claims Target Michael Carbonara Coverage as Florida GOP Primary Nears
- Florida Elections 2026: Candidates, Races, Ballot Measures & Election News
