Thomas “Tommy” LeGault, the 41-year-old Palm Coast resident and candidate for Flagler County Commission, is being sued by Flagler Broadcasting’s WNZF for unpaid bills. He has been pursued by Flagler Palm Coast High School officials for months over unpaid fund-raising dollars owed the school’s competitive cheerleading team. And he has twice faced eviction from two separate Palm Coast rentals in the last three years, the last time just three months ago.
LeGault runs a business called Savor Flagler, which sells cards that offer discounts at participating local businesses and encourages patronizing local businesses. The company was registered by a different individual with the Division of Corporations in 2016 but dissolved the following year. The state Division of Corporations lists it as “inactive,” and no similar-named company could be found, nor could one could be found under LeGault’s name. LeGault says it is registered, though he said he has trouble finding it on the state’s site himself.
LeGault has associated himself with fundraisers and public support especially for education and mental health initiatives, giving particular attention to suicide prevention efforts, for example. He says he’s helped raise thousands of dollars for Flagler Palm Coast’s Future Problem Solvers in the past, and for Imagine School at Town Center.
The WNZF suit is the result of a dispute over money owed dating back to last year, when LeGault, just before he announced for county commission, was paying to host an infomercial on WNZF called “We Love Small Business With Tommy,” where he was described as a “Flagler County entrepreneur and community builder.” The infomercial ran from February through May 2019, according to Flagler Broadcasting General Manager David Ayres. A YouTube recording of a show last May had five views.
“Ironically it was about how you’re supposed to run a small business,” Ayres said, “and he’d have small businesses come in, talk about it, have tips, how to successfully run a small business.” Ayres laughs at the irony. “I can’t believe I’m even saying that.”
The unpaid bills started adding up even while LeGault was still on the air. WNZF worked with him, giving him room and time to pay. He was “notorious for saying he would pay,” Ayres said of LeGault, but LeGault would not. In May, the radio station cancelled the infomercial show over the unpaid bills.
He would keep pledging to make good on the bills. “He was at Creekside, I was walking by, he came out said ‘hey, I’m going to pay that money I owe you.’ I was like, OK.” But there was no payment. “He’s not denying that he owes it, he just doesn’t have it. He’s a nice enough guy.”
“They know the circumstances that we fell behind,” LeGault said, attributing the problem to a “terrible car accident” that caused him to be out of work for three months.
By the time WNZF cancelled the show in May, he owed several thousand dollars. LeGault’s payment history shows that two checks bounced in February and March. He made a few small payments subsequently, but by the time he saw Ayres at Creekside Festival at Princess Place Preserve in mid-October, the payments had all but stopped. There was an $80 payment in November. When the radio station turned the account over to a collection agency, he owed just over $3,500.
“We had a word of mouth contract with WNZF for our radio show, we had a disagreement with the balance owed, we’re working to resolve it pretty quickly,” LeGault said Thursday.
Ayers doesn’t see it that way. “We have all kinds of documentation,” he said. “He was billed, and did the shows, and so either he pays it or we’ll let the legal system do its thing he’s never disputed any amount.”
Ayres says LeGault stopped communicating with the collections agency (LeGault called it “a complete false statement but that’s where I want to leave it at that”), so opted to file suit in small claims court for what now amounts to $4,953 “for unpaid amount for services rendered” and collection fees.
LeGault claimed not to be aware of the lawsuit nor the summons, saying he had not received it. The summons was issued on Jan. 6 and was sent to the address listed on LeGault’s December campaign finance report, the last report on file–16 Wellhaven Lane in Palm Coast. In November, LeGault faced eviction from that address, but the matter was settled and he never left the house. Two years ago he and his girlfriend, Mary Wiltshire, his campaign manager, were evicted from their rental at 65 Secretary Trai, for which they owed $1,500. A judgment was entered in favor of the landlord. He said they vacated voluntarily.
Last year he made an arrangement with the Flagler Palm Coast High School competitive cheerleading team for a fund-raiser through his Savor Flagler cards, with a percentage of the proceeds from the sale of the cards going to the team. The girls sold enough cards to raise $2,100. It was up to LeGault to return the owed percentage, FPC Athletic Director Steve DeAugustino said. But he still owes $1,000–money crucial to the cheerleaders’ ability to pay for competition costs, among others.
For months, the cheerleading coach sought payments but got only a few hundred dollars. She finally turned the matter over to DeAugustino–on Oct. 31. He’s been asking LeGault to make payments since. LeGault says he’s communicated with DeAugustino and responded to every communication. Emails tell a story more akin to Ayers’s experience.
“Will you be coming in today or tomorrow for the second payment? Just a reminder I need the final payment by December 18th,” DeAugustino wrote LeGault on Dec. 12. “Tomorrow is plan will touch base around lunch,” LeGault responded. But he did not show. “I have been trying to work with you for more than a month,” DeAugustino wrote two days later. “I would appreciate a response to my emails. I waited here for 2 hours yesterday because you promised to be in. what is going on?” LeGault responded three days later, telling him he’d be in Jacksonville then Orlando but would try sending someone else. On it went, with another plea from DeAugustino on Dec. 23 (“Why will you not reply to my emails?”) and another pledge from LeGault that day: “We will make some payment this week and make sure it doesn’t go into new year.”
But it did. LeGault paid $300 on Wednesday, leaving $1,000 unpaid.
“He hasn’t shared with me the hold up or the reason other than there’s other business that he was dealing with, it’s just going on and on and on and on,” DeAugustino said. “To me it should be pretty basic, you raise X amount of dollars, you agree on a percentage, that percentage is paid and it’s over. Percentage is already determined, he keeps his and sends us our donation and that’s it. I had that discussion with him, it shouldn’t be anywhere near this complicated.”
LeGault said “there was no contract” with the cheerleaders, and he said the cheerleading “staff” did things “incorrectly” as far as handing over the money and going through what he called “proper channels.” He said there was no due date for when he had to pay his share, then amended that to: “It was a deadline the coaches set not a deadline on a written contract or anything like that.” Why the lack of money on his part? “All the money I take when one closes out, it pays the next one,” he said of his various fund-raisers.
“I don’t really care what the reason is,” DeAugustino said. “It’s just a matter of this was the deal, I’m getting a lot of heat form the coaches and the parents. I’m just trying to be fair, but I just want the girls to get their money.” He added: “Our cheerleaders go out in the community all the time. My reason for giving him every opportunity to pay this was, I don’t want anybody thinking that the cheerleaders are doing this and that, or the parents are unhappy. I just wanted him to fulfill his commitment.”
DeAugustino today turned over the matter to Kristy Gavin, the school board attorney.
Legault, a Republican, launched his bid for the District 1 seat on the Flagler County Commission in early summer. The seat is currently held by Charlie Ericksen, who is not running for re-election. School Board member Andy Dance has filed to run as a Republican for the seat, as has Corinne Hermle, a Democrat. So LeGault, who is still gathering petitions to qualify, would be facing Dance in the Aug. 18 primary, assuming no one else files.
Dance declined to comment on the issue. “I worry about my own stuff. That stuff will take care of itself,” he said. “I just concentrate on my own business.”
LeGault’s campaign finance documents indicate he’s raised $4,764 so far, and spent $4,700, of which $1,000 went to his girlfriend in her role as campaign manager. The first picture featuring LeGault that comes up on his website also features his family, and was taken in the plaza of the Flagler County courthouse. He promotes “small business” and “mental health awareness,” along with the “future of all children in Flagler County.”
Asked how he squared his string of financial issues with his hope to be a county commissioner representing small business and responsible for budgeting millions of dollars in taxpayer dollars, LeGault said late this afternoon: “I will be able to prove to the voters what I can do for them and I’ll just leave it at that, and I don’t want to answer anything anymore because I’m on vacation with my family right now.”
To contribute directly to FPC’s cheerleading team, send a check to FPC Cheerleading, c/o Athletic Department, Flagler Palm Coast High School, 5500 East Highway 100, Palm Coast, FL 32164.
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Outsider says
Campaign over!
The land of no blinkers says
Must be nice to be on vacation when you owe so much promised money. What happened to priorities? Yeah let’s vote him in, such a trustworthy guy with apparently very high morals and values!
The Truth says
In this country, it wouldn’t surprise me if he was elected. The man in the White House has the same moral values (not paying works, misleading charities, etc)
JimBob says
Damn! He’ll fit right in.
Kevin Tyler says
Tom coached my basketball team and was very proactive with helping fund my Future Problem Solvers trip to Umass Amherst this past summer with his Savor Flagler Cards. Tommy is a great guy and this seems completely out of character for him.
Richard Z says
Right from Joe Mullins playbook. This guy used to wash Joe Mullins vehicles. ( Go to Tommy’s Facebook page and see him sitting in Mullins Ferrari.
Guess Mullins needs his own puppet sitting next to him. His buddy Ericksen is leaving and he needs somebody he can control.
This guy is no use to Flagler like carpetbagger Mullins
Wake up folks! He is a Sham!
Sandra says
What kind of person steals from children. Shame on you
Nunya says
What a complete scum bag. Stealing from children. The cheerleaders worked hard to raise that money and they should be paid. Commissioner- I think not. Thanks for giving the address where we can donate to these girls. I hope they get lots of donations!
Ted says
This does not sound like the Tommy we know he cares very much for the community and especially for the children’s futures of Flagler County. He is wanting to bring much needed change to the county and to small business with being a huge advocate and supporter of suicide
awareness wich our county needs more of.
The community needs these and other issues addressed in our county and he is not afraid to speak his mind. I truely believe this is just political tactics against him. Stay focused on what matters Tommy it’s time for a change in Flagler County!!
NA says
I’m sorry but stealing from children does not sound like this man cares about the youth of Flagler county. Having known about this situation before it was publicized, what I read in this article was the cold hard truth.
Alice S. says
As a parent I’m absolutely disgusted that you stole from these children and the school’s program. How dare you say there was no contract and it was done incorrectly because you came into their practice in person not once but TWICE promoting to these young ladies to continue to sell your cards and told the coaches and team parents EXACTLY how you wanted it done, it was also written in many emails and text by/from you. As you insisted, they handed over the cash up front, then when it came time to pay them clearly you had embezzled the money that MY CHILD NEEDED/EARNED/WORKED HARD FOR AS DID HER ENTIRE TEAM!
Finally, when the school had to get involved you then bounce the check! There is absolutely no excuse on why that check should not clear when our children paid you cash upfront to cover not only their part but also they made money for YOU through their RELENTLESS hard work and fundraising efforts. Absolutely sickening!
We were fundraising for our competitions, our cheerleading program, our banquet, our uniforms, and so much more … CERTAINLY NOT YOUR CAMPAIGN OR VACATION!
Any donations that are made are greatly appreciated by this outstanding team consisting of a great group of amazing kids and coaches that represent our community and school so well with the upmost talent, dedication, respect, and pride!
Proud to be a Bulldog.
Parent of an FPC Cheerleader says
I am a mad parent!
I am the Mother of one of the FPC cheerleaders that Tommy Legault has INDEED stole from.
Nice guys don’t steal from children, break financial promises nor screw over adults for that matter! You owe, you pay – simple life lesson!
Tommy KNEW there was a deadline and he owes this money to the girls since summer yet has come up with excuse after excuse not to pay. On many occasions he made arrangements to meet to pay the money he owes yet never showed! NEVER EVEN SHOWED! Your one payment turned out to be a bounced check!!!!
I personally drove my daughter in 99 degree heat over the summer for HOURS to over 50 businesses so she could sell Tommy LeGaults cards. My daughter was hot and tired wearing her cheer uniform YET put a smile on her face and followed through to help promote Tommy LeGaults Flagler Savor cards and to raise money for the athletic program that runs off of fundraisers and instead he put THEIR money in his own pocket!!!
I also personally know other FPC cheerleaders that stood in the hot sun, cold rain, some sick, some with injuries, selling his cards.
My daughter then reached out to our family members and very close friends that bought his cards as did I. I am now embarrassed, as is she, too say we sold them!
If I owed anyone money – especially a child or school system that truly REALLY needed it for – I would certainly sacrifice my vacation or even eating that day to be sure the money gets to them.
Before this article came out some of us began exposing Tommy Legault on social media and he actually threatened to sue for defamation of character!
Now, Tommy Legault running for county commissioner??
He can’t even budget his own $4,764 campaign budget yet he feels he is trustworthy enough to represent Flagler County businesses and be responsible for
our counties millions of dollars in taxpayer dollars?
?? He stated he promotes “the future of all children in Flagler County”
Well, I do not want my daughter to learn anything from this guy for her future!
?? He stated he promotes small business”
Well I am sure all the small businesses that bought his cards might feel otherwise since we have all made everyone of them aware that Tommy Legault is a fraud, a liar, a thief and an untrustworthy “politician”!
?? He stated he promo“mental health awareness,”
Need I say more?
Enjoy your vacation Mr. Legault – it’s on Flagler County and us!
Parent of FPC Cheerleader says
And at the time he went to the girls practices Alice, he told all the cheerleaders that if they sold all 15 cards they were assigned then he would buy one more card from EACH ONE of the girls – again, NOTHING from him.
Tired says
Just reading Andy Dance’s quote about the situation is enough for me, he has my vote!
Flatsflyer says
Sounds like a Ponzi scheme to me? Does his resume reflect that he attended Trump University, sounds like he should be required to take the same training that the Trump’s had to take regarding cheating charities? If his local campaign fails we’ll probably see him appointed by Trump to some “acting” Cabinet position.
Patsy says
I’ll be voting for Andy Dance!
Nick says
Tommy neglected to mention that he took down and disabled his reviews on his accounts when others started speaking up and then started threatening those that were coming forward.
This has nothing to do with political issues but everything to do with character. He should be in jail for stealing and being a con artist.
Parent says
Because he IS a con artist and trying to act like this is simply politics. That’s why he’s blocking people and reaching for more excuses.
I hope FlaglerLive and others will look into his past how/why he ended up in Palm Coast running from his past cons.
So many excuses that he gave day after day after day after MONTHS! STILL!
Here he is a bounced check and $1000 unpaid dollars almost 6 months (half a school year) later and these girls desperately trying to overcome the shortfall HE created for them. CHILDREN, THESE ARE CHILDREN.
SAD, VERY SAD AND ALL VERY TRUE.
I hope the school system sues and goes after him!
attila says
He would have made a good politician, he know how to cheat.cheat and sponge off people.
Disgusted says
As usual the republican party has another stellar candidate for office. No doubt they will stand behind his criminal activity and holler fake news! Another one that was elected has been in jail, lost his medical license and was told he had to resign from his mosquito control position – and last I knew, he still hasn’t done that. Yup…the republican party should be proud!
TheTruth says
Let me guess he must be a Republican who voted for Don the Con Trump. If this guy becomes a County Commissioner we are all in deep trouble.
Jane GentileYoud says
Shouldn’t his name be spelled ” LeGuilt”?!!
Rob says
Wow! He stole money from kids and then blamed it on the cheer team for not signing a contract?! So he is saying it is the team’s fault that he took advantage of them?!
Chris peacock says
This dude is toast.
Merna says
stealing from hard working children wouldn’t that be a great quality as commissioner!
Cheer Mom says
If you would like to support FPC Cheerleading we are running fundraiser through SNAP Raise. If you would consider donating and/or sharing the link, our cheerleaders would greatly appreciate it!
https://www.snap-raise.com/v2/fundraisers/flagler-palm-coast-cheerleading-2020?fundraiser_id=129245&share_type=facebook_timeline&version=v2.2#/
Sheyla Harbas says
We need to do something about this guy and his “girlfriend”. They scammed me out of $1000 as a management and cleaning company in Florida, and kept promising to pay it back for tHREE months. Yeah THREE MONTHS of me being polite and waiting.
They cannot keep doing this!