Okaloosa County Airports Director Tracy Stage has joined local businessman Jay Odom in filing an expanded civil racketeering lawsuit that alleges Robert Smith (Odom’s former business partner) orchestrated a “multi-year, coordinated effort” targeting them and threatening the county’s aviation system, according to court documents filed Tuesday.
- The lawsuit, filed in Okaloosa County Circuit Court, claims Smith and unnamed conspirators engaged in a pattern of activities aimed at gaining control of operations at Destin Executive Airport through what the complaint characterizes as extortion, malicious prosecution and interference with business relations.
The filing alleges Smith’s current actions threaten federal and state aviation grants that help fund Okaloosa County’s three-airport system, which serves four military installations and supports the region’s tourism industry. According to the complaint, Okaloosa County generates over $700 million in annual tourism revenue, with a substantial number of visitors using the county’s airports.
According to court documents, the alleged actions include what plaintiffs describe as attempts to bribe Stage with promises of profits from airport lease extensions and reported threats if Stage continued enforcing required airport oversight measures.
- The complaint alleges Smith and others attempted to exploit Stage’s personal family matters in an effort to have Stage removed from his position.
Ben Gordon, Stage’s attorney, and Lazaro Fields, who represents Odom, said in a joint statement Tuesday that their clients filed the expanded lawsuit to protect the region’s aviation infrastructure.
- “What began as targeted harassment has evolved into a broader scheme threatening the economic foundation of our entire region,” the attorneys said.
“For two decades, I have had to fight back against lies, manipulation, and outright extortion,” Odom said. “I have built businesses, developed communities, and consistently contributed to our wonderful region’s success. Robert Smith and his conspirators have obsessively attempted to destroy the best of our community for the worst of reasons – jealousy, greed, and an obscene need for control.”
Stage emphasized the broader implications of the case. “This isn’t about me,” he said. “This is about stopping a reckless, dishonest campaign that threatens the very backbone of Okaloosa County’s economy. I have a duty to protect our airports and the people who rely on them. We won’t stand by while Smith attempts to hijack that for his own gain.”
The lawsuit expands on a complaint Odom initially filed against Smith in September 2024. That filing alleged Smith attempted to extort money from Odom through what the complaint described as baseless criminal accusations.
- The new filing includes nine counts, including alleged violations of Florida’s Civil Racketeering and Corrupt Organizations Act, civil conspiracy, malicious prosecution and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The plaintiffs seek damages and an injunction to stop what they characterize as false allegations.
The case will be heard in Okaloosa County Circuit Court. No hearing dates have been set. The allegations in the lawsuit have not been proven in court.
