Ron Paul Supporter Suing Gingrich Campaign, Claims Security Stomped on His Foot

A Ron Paul supporter has filed a lawsuit against the Newt Gingrich campaign, claiming a security officer for the GOP presidential hopeful stomped on his foot "like he was stomping out a cigarette," the Associated Press reported.

Edward Dillard, a central Florida resident, said his foot was fractured in the Tuesday incident, which took place on the day of the state's primary.

According to the AP, Dillard was wearing a Paul T-shirt and holding a sign at a Gingrich campaign stop in Orlando when a “swarm” of security guards surrounded him, one stomping on his foot while he was wearing open sandals.

Yahoo! News reported the incident at the time:

Gingrich aides and security personnel swarmed Dillard, trying to intimidate him into moving. One of Gingrich's security agents stepped in front of him. When Dillard didn't budge, the agent lifted his heeled shoe over Dillard's bare foot and dug the back of it into his skin, twisting it side-to-side like he was stomping out a cigarette. Shocked, Dillard kept his ground and took a picture of the agent with his phone, which was quickly knocked out of his hand. Dillard slipped off his flip-flop to pick up the phone with his foot, and a Gingrich supporter kicked the sandal away.

"Don't kick me!" Dillard said to the man who knocked away his sandal. More members of Gingrich's security retinue approached, shoving their shoulders and chests in front of him.

"Just block him!" a Gingrich campaign aide said. "Everyone step on his toes!"

Dillard is seeking damages in excess of $75,000 for battery, assault, intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligent hiring, NewsCore reported.

Ron Paul’s campaign has called for Gingrich to apologize. The Gingrich campaign has not commented on the matter.