Under the Florida Information Protection Act, Florida residents are supposed to be notified if they are a victim of a data breach within 30 days. Given how expansive and complex our use of cyber platforms have become, we must take every precaution to protect the personal information of Floridians, and frankly all Americans, from being exposed and used against them.

This week, I along with 49 other attorneys general and the District of Columbia, reached a major settlement with the ride-sharing transportation company, Uber, after they allegedly failed to report a 2016 breach of their drivers’ personal information.

While it appears that no sensitive information was dispersed, Uber did not alert its drivers or report the incident until a year later. People with compromised information need to be alerted immediately so they can take steps and guard against identity theft and potential financial losses. [Read more…]

Oct 5, 2018

This week, I hosted Florida’s 2018 Human Trafficking Summit bringing together local, state and national leaders in the fight to eradicate trafficking. Hundreds of Floridians dedicated to this fight attended the one-day summit in Orlando, including law enforcement, prosecutors, survivors, advocates, educators, counselors and more.

Florida’s annual summit allows us to share strategies about identifying, reporting, investigating, and prosecuting trafficking cases. It also allows us to continue our collaborative efforts to help victims become survivors.

To view the opening session of the summit, click here.

We have gained a lot of ground in this battle. Since taking office in 2011, we’ve strengthened human trafficking laws, prosecuted traffickers, improved reporting practices and worked together to identify and develop resources to help survivors. [Read more…]

Horror unfolded in a Jacksonville pizzeria last Sunday. While gamers competed in a video game tournament, one contestant took out a weapon and began firing at competitors. The attack ended in a matter of minutes leaving three dead, including the shooter, and several more injured.

First responders participating in a nearby training exercise rushed to the scene and immediately began rendering aid to victims of the shooting. Local law enforcement began clearing the scene. I immediately sent my victim advocates to help the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office counsel survivors, offer trauma services and assist with medical expenses. While in Jacksonville following the shooting, I also had the opportunity to visit with some of the victims and hear their stories.

While the malevolent and cowardly acts of the shooter have left many broken and hurting, it has also brought the Jacksonville community closer and highlighted the brave efforts of first responders, law enforcement and giving people across our country. [Read more…]

August 24, 2018
Last Sunday, Clay County Deputy Ben Zirbel sustained critical injuries from a motorcycle accident. Just three days later, we learned that he passed away from those injuries. Every time I hear about a brave law enforcement officer getting critically injured while protecting our communities, it takes my breath away. My deepest sympathies go out to Deputy Zirbel’s family, friends and the entire Clay County law enforcement community.

May you rest in peace deputy.

This week, we filed legal action against a Florida travel agency that collected millions from consumers, then failed to provide promised vacations. Legendary Journeys, a now-shuttered Sarasota-based travel agency, still owes customers nationwide more than $3 million in refunds.

According to our legal complaint, Legendary Journeys and two of the company’s officers misappropriated company assets for personal benefit before closing, then filed an assignment for the benefit of creditors—a legal proceeding similar to bankruptcy. The defendants took money paid by consumers for vacation packages and used it to pay personal expenses and make extra payroll distributions. [Read more…]

~$50 million toward fixes for federal Herbert Hoover Dike, $700,000 for Lee County~

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott announced that the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) have reached an agreement on a $50 million state investment to fund repairs to the Herbert Hoover Dike. This agreement follows a $50 million investment made earlier this year, bringing the State of Florida’s total investment in this federal project to $100 million. After decades of federal inaction, Gov. Scott fought to secure this state funding and secured a commitment from the White House to provide the federal funds to fix the Herbert Hoover Dike. The funding will accelerate critical repairs to the Herbert Hoover Dike surrounding Lake Okeechobee. Once completed, this project will reduce the need for harmful water releases from the Army Corps of Engineers by allowing more water to be stored in Lake Okeechobee. [Read more…]