Briana Whatley, a former national champion in the Incubate Debate youth league, filed a small claims suit in Broward County on July 27 against James Fishback and the Incubate Foundation Inc., alleging breach of contract and fraud related to an $8,000 scholarship promised in 2023. The award letter, dated March 28, 2023, stated that the funds would be paid on the day of her high school graduation, which occurred on May 30, 2025. Whatley said she emailed Incubate twice in June seeking clarification and received no response. After retaining counsel, she received a text from Fishback stating that scholarships above $10,000 were paid in semester increments, a claim the award letter did not contain. Fishback also said he had not seen the letter until it was forwarded by her lawyer and claimed the document had been written by a former employee who was dismissed from Incubate Debate. The complaint alleges that Fishback ignored communications, later blamed a terminated employee for the written terms, asserted an unwritten installment policy, and delayed payment for months. Earlier court filings in a residency challenge showed Fishback used fake accounts and paid engagement to influence online coverage of his campaign. Text messages included in the complaint reveal Fishback requesting Whatley’s bank information in October, asking her to resend it in November, and later indicating he had arranged a $3,000 Zelle payment in December, with a second payment scheduled for February 1. When Whatley followed up on February 2, Fishback replied that February 1 was a Sunday and that they did not process payments on Sundays, adding a brief greeting. He then asked whether she had provided proof of college enrollment; she said she had, but received no further response. Since then, both parties have ceased communication, according to the filing. Whatley is seeking the remaining $8,000 balance, interest, court costs, and attorney’s fees. Ralph Kenol, an attorney based in Hollywood, represents Whatley. Fishback founded Incubate Debate, which operates no‑cost tournaments for students throughout Florida, and the organization was highlighted in his campaign biography when he launched his bid for governor in November. He is competing in the August 18 Republican primary, where U.S. Representative Byron Donalds, supported by former President Donald Trump, leads in polls, while Fishback’s support remains low single digits and his fundraising has been limited.