BOCA RATON, FL (Boca Post) (Copyright © 2026) — A civil lawsuit filed during Boca Raton’s 2026 mayoral race is now part of the public record following one of the closest elections in recent city history.
Michael “Mike” Liebelson v. Andrew “Andy” Thomson, Pradeep “Rick” Asnani, Keeping Citizens First, Inc., Keeping Citizens First, Inc. as a Florida electioneering communications organization, and Running with Andy Thomson, a Florida political committee, was filed March 3, 2026, in the Circuit Court of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit in and for Palm Beach County, Florida, under Case No. 502026CA002497XXXAMB. The complaint was filed on Liebelson’s behalf by Boca Raton law firm Tobin Reyes PLLC.
The filing came one week before Boca Raton’s March 10 municipal election. Thomson later won the race following a recount, receiving 7,572 votes to Liebelson’s 7,567, according to certified election results. That outcome is separate from the allegations in the complaint, which have not been proven in court.
In the verified complaint, Liebelson alleges Thomson, political consultant Rick Asnani, and political entities tied to Thomson’s campaign conspired to defame him through campaign mailers, text messages, and other political advertising. The complaint states the publications were false, made with malice, and intended to harm his reputation and candidacy.
The lawsuit identifies Liebelson as a mayoral candidate aligned with the “Save Boca” organization in opposition to the Terra/Frisbie project. It alleges he refused campaign contributions from real estate developers or their affiliates. The complaint contrasts that with Thomson, alleging he raised money from developers and supported large development projects in Boca Raton. Those are allegations made by the plaintiff.
According to the complaint, Liebelson’s counsel sent a cease and desist letter on Feb. 25, 2026, to Citizens First and the Thomson PAC over what the filing describes as defamatory political mailings and text messages. The complaint alleges the defendants continued publishing the same statements afterward through mail, text, television, radio, and social media.
One set of allegations centers on campaign finance disclosures. The complaint says publications falsely accused Liebelson of failing to disclose donors and implied violations of campaign finance laws. Liebelson alleges his most recent filing covered donors through Dec. 31, 2025, and accurately reported zero dollars at that time. The complaint also states that during a Feb. 13, 2026 joint Zoom interview with the Sun Sentinel, he disclosed receiving $25,000 from two donors and asked Thomson to do the same, but Thomson declined.
Another set of allegations involves land use and development. The complaint says certain publications falsely stated that Liebelson “pushed to sell off our government campus land” and “advocated to sell Boca.” Liebelson claims those statements mischaracterized remarks he made at a public meeting where, according to the complaint, he opposed a long-term lease of city-owned land to a developer.
A third group of allegations involves Liebelson’s home and zoning issues. The complaint says some political mailings falsely claimed he built a “massive compound wall” after moving to Boca “a few years ago,” and suggested he sought special treatment. Liebelson alleges he has lived in Boca for a decade, that most of the property is enclosed by a low fence, and that any variance request was lawful.
The lawsuit includes five counts: defamation damages against the Thomson PAC, defamation damages against Citizens First, defamation injunction against the Thomson PAC, defamation injunction against Citizens First, and conspiracy to defame against all defendants. Liebelson seeks damages, interest, costs, injunctive relief, and indicates he intends to pursue punitive damages with court approval.
The original complaint, Michael “Mike” Liebelson v. Andrew “Andy” Thomson, Pradeep “Rick” Asnani, Keeping Citizens First, Inc., Keeping Citizens First, Inc. as a Florida Electioneering Communications Organization, and Running with Andy Thomson, Case No. 502026CA002497XXXAMB, as filed March 3, 2026, with the Palm Beach County Clerk of Court, can be viewed at the PBC Clerk of Court.
Boca Post tracks civil litigation filed in Palm Beach County courts as part of its ongoing legal coverage. Readers can explore recent cases in our Boca Raton lawsuits coverage.
