A federal judge has ordered Florida gubernatorial candidate James Fishback to pay more than $1.2 million in legal fees to his former employer, Greenlight Capital, marking another setback in a lengthy legal battle that has followed the Republican candidate into the 2026 Governor’s race.
U.S. District Judge Paul Engelmayer issued the order in New York after determining Fishback should reimburse Greenlight for a substantial portion of the legal expenses incurred during litigation involving allegations that Fishback improperly shared confidential company information.
The dispute centers on claims that Fishback disclosed Greenlight investor information and other confidential materials when launching Azoria Partners, his investment firm. Courts previously ruled that Fishback improperly shared confidential information and ordered him to surrender certain Azoria stock and personal assets as part of related proceedings.
Greenlight sought approximately $1.9 million in legal fees. Fishback’s attorneys argued the request was excessive and significantly higher than awards granted in similar cases.
In his ruling, Engelmayer reduced the amount requested but concluded Fishback should still pay more than $1.2 million. The judge noted that while Greenlight paid above-market legal rates in some instances, portions of the litigation became more costly because of Fishback’s conduct during the legal dispute.
The decision arrives as separate court proceedings in Florida continue. A judge recently ordered Fishback to provide information regarding assets including a Cartier watch, a Tesla Model 3, and multiple bank accounts.
The ruling also raises questions about Fishback’s financial disclosures as he campaigns for Governor. Financial records filed with his campaign reported approximately $220,000 owed to Greenlight, annual income of roughly $80,000 from Azoria Capital, and a net worth of about $530,000.
Fishback is seeking the Republican nomination for Governor and faces a competitive primary field that includes Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, and former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner.
As the campaign continues, opponents are likely to highlight the court rulings and financial questions, while Fishback’s campaign will need to address the legal issues as voters begin paying closer attention to the race.
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