TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Attorney General Ashley Moody has taken legal action following reports that FEMA workers denied aid to Florida hurricane victims who displayed signs supporting President-elect Donald Trump.

The attorney general announced Thursday she filed a lawsuit against former FEMA supervisor Marn’i Washington and current FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, seeking punitive damages in their individual capacities.

“Hurricane season is not over, and the federal agency in charge of emergency response is embroiled in scandal – caught withholding aid from storm victims in Florida who support President Trump,” Moody said. “I am taking swift legal action to find out how far this political discrimination reaches and to make sure all Americans who fall victim to devastating storms are served, regardless of their political affiliation.”

Washington was fired from her supervisory position with the agency last weekend after images of messages she had sent to relief workers telling them to “avoid homes advertising Trump” were leaked.

According to the complaint, whistleblowers said at least 20 homes with Trump signs or flags in Lake Placid were skipped from the end of October and into November due to Washington’s guidance.

Residents in the area had just been hit with back-to-back hurricanes, with Helene making landfall on Sept. 26 and Milton’s outer bands causing a tornado to form over a mobile home park in Lake Placid on Oct. 9.

Other documents appeared to corroborate whistleblowers’ claims as FEMA workers reportedly entered messages into government databases saying things such as, “Trump sign no entry per leadership.”

But Moody said she believes the alleged discrimination may have extended beyond Florida.

In an interview with state officials, Washington reportedly claimed that political discrimination by FEMA is not an isolated event and occurred across the country. She went on to state that similar conduct occurred in North Carolina and throughout other areas affected by Helene and Milton.

In a statement released soon after the alleged scandal came to light, Criswell confirmed that Washington had been fired for her actions, saying that, “This is a clear violation of FEMA’s core values and principles to help people regardless of their political affiliation.”

She added that “this type of behavior and action will not be tolerated at FEMA.”

Despite Criswell calling her actions “reprehensible,” officials said Washington insisted that FEMA has been using her as a “scapegoat.”

Moody has asked the court to declare that Washington and Criswell conspired to interfere with the civil rights of Floridians who support Trump in violation of the deprivation clause and the support or advocacy clause.

“It’s unacceptable for the federal government to discriminate against Floridians who voted for Trump, and especially egregious in the aftermath of a hurricane,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said in a statement following Moody’s announcement. “I’m supportive of this legal action by the Attorney General’s Office, and I have instructed state agencies to likewise take any action necessary to investigate and ensure those who engaged in this behavior are held accountable.”