JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2013 A series of anonymous text messages criticizing prominent Jacksonville leaders has escalated, with the sender now directly contacting News4JAX Anchor\/Reporter Tarik Minor. <\/p>\n
Hours later, the anonymous author launched a fresh round of attacks against the city\u2019s mayor.<\/p>\n
The News4JAX I-TEAM has tracked the messages for three weeks, as hundreds, if not potentially thousands of residents, have reported receiving mass texts targeting public figures. <\/p>\n
The latest wave, sent on Friday, criticized Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan and included a link to a newly formed political action committee.<\/p>\n
Shortly after News4JAX published a story on the issue on Friday<\/a>, noting that the messages could be considered protected speech under the First Amendment, Minor received a text from a spoofed number addressing him by name.<\/p>\n \u201cCongrats on discovering the First Amendment, Tarik. Only 234 years later,\u201d the message read.<\/p>\n Hours later, additional mass messages were sent to the public, again targeting Deegan and referencing controversy at JEA under CEO Vickie Cavey.<\/p>\n The anonymous campaign has also targeted JEA leadership<\/a> and the Jacksonville business community, including Chamber of Commerce President Daniel Davis<\/a>. The timing and content of the messages suggest the sender is monitoring local news coverage.<\/p>\n News4JAX political analyst Rick Mullaney said the situation has raised widespread questions across the community.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s something the whole community is asking \u2014 who\u2019s doing it and why,\u201d Mullaney said. \u201cAnd it appears from the attack on Donna Deegan that part of it\u2019s political.\u201d<\/p>\n RELATED: Anonymous mass text smear campaign targeting Jacksonville leaders likely considered \u2018protected speech\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n Mullaney said the focus on the mayor could signal early activity ahead of Jacksonville\u2019s next mayoral election in March. However, he added that the broader scope of the messages, including references to JEA and business leadership, suggests other financial motivations.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s an ongoing investigation on multiple fronts as to what\u2019s going on at JEA,\u201d Mullaney said. \u201cSome of that could involve lobbying contracts and political influence. The most logical suggestion is that there\u2019s potentially a political motive as well as a financial motive \u2014 and maybe something else.\u201d<\/p>\n The investigation Mullaney referenced involves scrutiny of communications tied to JEA<\/a>, including those involving CEO Vickie Cavey, City Council President Kevin Carrico and lobbying firm Ballard Partners. The probe is examining potential political influence and misconduct.<\/p>\n