TV personality Jon Taffer, host of the show “Bar Rescue,” is once again suing Victor Caroleo, a Naples man he accuses of impersonating him.
Caroleo, who, according to the lawsuit, describes himself as a “preacher, entrepreneur, and prophet,” is no stranger to these allegations. Last year, Taffer filed a federal lawsuit accusing him of using his name, flashing credit cards in his name, and posing for photos with fans.
In one incident, a woman who believed Caroleo was Taffer accused him of putting his hand up her skirt without consent after a night out at Vergina restaurant in Naples.
That case ended in a settlement, with Caroleo agreeing to stop the behavior.
But in a new lawsuit filed in Collier County, Taffer’s legal team alleges Caroleo didn’t keep his word.
In March, Caroleo was reportedly spotted again — this time at Bar Tulia and Seed to Table — telling strangers he was Taffer. According to the complaint, one individual messaged Taffer’s official Facebook business page after the interaction, alerting his legal team that the impersonation may have resumed.
Caroleo’s attorney tells Gulf Coast News that his client plans to “vigorously defend” against what he calls a “baseless” lawsuit. He also says Caroleo intends to file counterclaims against Taffer, and may pursue legal action against others who he claims “provided false and defamatory statements.”
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