Report: Tampa Bay Host Mike Calta Will Not Face Charges

RADIO ONLINE | Monday, August 14, 2023

Mike Calta

Tampa Bay radio host Mike Calta will not be charged by prosecutors following an incident where he took a woman's phone while she was recording him during a station event, reports the Tampa Bay Times. The incident, which occurred during a live broadcast of WHPT-FM (102.5 FM The Bone) from a gun shop in Sarasota on June 17, was captured in a video that surfaced on social media.

In the video, Erica Hernandez can be seen confronting Calta and accusing him of leaking the Hulk Hogan sex tape to the now-defunct website Gawker in 2012. Initially, Calta engaged with Hernandez's questions while she recorded the interaction. However, as the conversation escalated, Calta took hold of Hernandez's iPhone and turned the camera towards her. In the process of attempting to retrieve her phone, Hernandez made physical contact with Calta, and he responded by pushing her away.

While deputies looked into the matter, no arrests were made. The case was subsequently forwarded to the state attorney's office to explore potential charges of theft or battery.

Prosecutors reviewed the case and determined that there was insufficient evidence to support charges of theft. Regarding potential battery charges, prosecutors stated that Calta's push could be argued as a form of lawful self-defense. They noted that Calta had turned away from Hernandez and had instructed her to back off before physical contact occurred. When Hernandez reached over Calta and grabbed his shoulder, he reacted by moving her away.

Following the release of the video online, Calta was noticeably absent from his morning show and did not return on the following Monday. The specific reason for his absence remains unclear. Both Cox Media Group and 102.5-FM The Bone management did not provide responses to inquiries from the Tampa Bay Times.