On August 12, 2025, I filed an amended complaint alleging the Special Election in the City of Ocala to be held September 16, 2025 violates Florida Election Law thereby affecting every voter in the City of Ocala. Tellingly, the Ocala Star-Banner did not report this filing. My amended complaint (DOC 10) is posted on Scribed here: Thank you supporters, here is my federal voting rights lawsuit. Below is the initial text and parties.
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA
OCALA DIVISION
CASE No. 5:25-cv-486-SPC-PRL
NEIL JOSEPH GILLESPIE,
Plaintiff,
vs.
WESLEY WILCOX, in his official capacity as
Marion County Supervisor of Elections, Florida,
BEN MARCIANO, in his official capacity as
Mayor of the City of Ocala, Florida
WILLIAM E. SEXTON, in his official capacity as
City Attorney, City of Ocala, Florida,
ANGEL B. JACOBS, in her official capacity as
City Clerk, City of Ocala, Florida,
KRISTEN DREYER, in her official capacity as
President, City Council, City of Ocala, Florida,
IRA BETHEA, Sr, in his official capacity as
President Pro-Tem, City Council, City of Ocala, Florida,
BARRY MANSFIELD, in his official capacity as
City Council Member, City of Ocala, Florida,
JAMES HILTY, Sr, in his official capacity as
City Council Member, City of Ocala, Florida,
JAY MUSLEH, in his official capacity as
City Council Member, City of Ocala, Florida,
CORD BYRD, in his official capacity as
Florida Secretary of State, the FLORIDA
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
RON DESANTIS, in his official capacity
as Governor of Florida,
Defendants.
_____________________________________/
PLAINTIFF'S FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT
The Plaintiff, Neil Joseph Gillespie ("Gillespie"), a nonlawyer appearing pro se, states:
1. Gillespie filed this action 8 days ago as a voting rights case under USC Title 52, Voting and Elections. Process has not been issued by the Court. The complaint has not been served.
2. Pursuant to FRCP 15, Gillespie hereby files his First Amended Complaint, adds Defendants, seeks declaratory and injunctive relief, and makes a constitutional challenge. This First Amended Complaint makes no demand for money damages. Gillespie filed this action for the right to vote where he works and lives, and to run for the office of mayor.
Jurisdiction and Venue
3. Federal question jurisdiction arises under Article III, Section 2, U.S. Constitution, U.S.C. Title 52 Voting and Elections, FRCP 57 Declaratory Judgment, 28 U.S.C. § 2201 Creation of remedy, FRCP 65 Injunctions and Restraining Orders, FRCP 5.1 Constitutional Challenge.
4. Venue is proper in the Ocala Division under 28 USC 1391(b)(1). The Plaintiff resides in the City of Ocala, the cause of action rises in the City of Ocala, 9 of 11 Defendants are located in Ocala, and relief is sought in a Special Election in the City of Ocala.
The Parties
5. Plaintiff Gillespie is a resident of the City of Ocala, age 69, living and working since January 2, 2023, at 2801 SW College Rd, STE 3, Ocala, Florida, 34474. Gillespie has resided in Marion County, Florida for 20 years. On May 19, 2022 Gillespie was evicted at gunpoint after foreclosure of his home on a federal HECM reverse mortgage. Gillespie was homeless from May 19, 2022 until January 2, 2023, when he rented and occupied space in an office condominium in the Starting Gate Executive Office. Gillespie relies on Social Security retirement income to survive and is unable obtain other adequate housing. The office is home to Justice Network, a fictitious name owned by Gillespie. Justice Network is engaged in advocacy, education, news gathering and dissemination, and helping people fight injustice. Gillespie's clients are poor, disabled, forgotten and dammed; and his causes unpopular with the local authorities, including:
- A 15 year-old African-American schoolgirl in a 2016 racial incident at West Port High School, harassed by white supremacists waving Confederate flags in the school. Gillespie is a critic of Neo-Confederates, and the historic lynching of 19 people in Marion County.
- Sarah Thompson, age 35, who died in 2021 of a drug overdose in the hotel room of a convicted drug trafficker at the Stay & Save Extended Stay Hotel in the City of Ocala. Gillespie has evidence that Sarah's death may have been a politically motivated homicide.
- Harold Minnis, age 63, a man on probation with End-Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD) who's benefits were blocked, was denied legal counsel, and denied voluntary surrender at the MCJ. See Florida v. Harold Minnis, Case No. 2025-CF-0383, Marion County Circuit Court.
- Ronnie Cooper, age 63, an amputee in a wheelchair since age 19, pled NGI, convicted at trial without legal counsel, sentenced to life in prison for robbery of a vehicle at a gas station. See State v. Cooper, Case No. 2019-CF-1050, Marion County; Fifth DCA Appeal 5D2024-3513.
Gillespie is now and has been a No Party Affiliation (NPA) candidate for public office. Read the full complaint online here.
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