Prominent Northwest Florida real estate entrepreneur Jay Odom has filed a staggering lawsuit against Robert Vincent Smith, accusing him of racketeering, civil conspiracy, and malicious prosecution. The legal action, which also names ten unidentified conspirators, seeks damages and an injunction to stop what Odom alleges has been nearly two decades of harassment.
The lawsuit, filed under the Florida Civil Racketeering and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), alleges that Smith has led a prolonged and fraudulent campaign to extort Odom. According to the complaint, Smith has repeatedly made false claims against Odom, attempting to weaponize taxpayer-funded agencies for his personal financial gain. Despite being dismissed by courts and government bodies, Smith continues to spread false accusations about Odom.
Odom is represented by attorney Lazaro Fields, who represented President Donald Trump in the Mar-a-Lago “documents case” that was dismissed by U.S. District Judge Aileen M. Cannon.
Odom, who has played a significant role in the development of communities and recreation areas in the Florida Panhandle, expressed frustration at the ongoing legal battles. “For the last 20 years, I have had to defend myself against a relentless, greed-driven campaign of legal harassment by Robert Smith,” Odom said. “It’s clear that only the court can put an overdue end to these false and unfounded accusations.”
Odom’s contributions to Northwest Florida include the development of thousands of homesites and key projects such as the Uptown Station, Hammock Bay, and the recently completed Freedom Tech Center in Fort Walton Beach, designed to provide high-quality housing for military families as well as hotel rooms and office space to attract new defense and technology employers to the area.
The complaint identifies Smith as a former business partner obsessed with harming Odom, to the point of maintaining a high-security room in his home to store documents related to his fixation on the businessman. According to the filing, the two were partners in Hammock Bay until Smith lost faith in its viability and asked Odom to buy him out. Odom did and saw the project through to its highly successful completion. Resentment over that deal led to Smith’s 20-year revenge mission.
The suit details Smith’s pattern of filing false reports with federal agencies, including the FBI, IRS, and Secret Service, which Odom claims have cost him significant legal expenses and wasted public resources. Odom is seeking an injunction to halt Smith’s actions and recover the costs he’s incurred while defending his reputation.
The outcome of the case could have far-reaching implications for both parties as Odom looks to finally put an end to what he describes as a toxic, decades-long campaign of harassment.
