TALLAHASSEE, Fla.––Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Office of Statewide Prosecution and the Florida Department of Law enforcement today announced the arrest of Ralph Alonso Everett Jr. and Isaiah Lewis, both from Miami, for allegedly organizing a scheme to steal teachers’ identities to collect unemployment checks. The defendants are responsible for losses to the State of Florida of more than $50,000. [Read more…]

I would like to thank Governor Rick Scott and President Donald Trump for working tirelessly to make schools safe for students. This week I joined Governor Scott and President Trump in two separate roundtable discussions about protecting students in Florida and nationwide—but we are not just talking. Action is imminent.

We must keep weapons out of the hands of the mentally ill. Threats against students have to be aggressively investigated. Schools need more resource officers now. I am working closely with leaders in the House and Senate on all these issues and more to ensure action this legislative session.

We need to amend Florida’s Baker Act to allow law enforcement officers to take guns away from mentally ill people the courts have deemed a threat. Florida needs a Gun Violence Restraining Order to keep weapons out of the hands of people who might enact the type of terror we saw in Parkland last week. My office is working with law enforcement on developing a secure-reporting app to allow students to anonymously report concerning behavior. [Read more…]

Feb 16,2018

This week, I met with U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions and our great federal partners in Tampa to discuss strategies to combat the national opioid crisis claiming lives in Florida. We work constantly with the DOJ, FBI, DEA and our great state and local law enforcement agencies to capture and prosecute drug traffickers smuggling deadly heroin and fentanyl into our state.

My office is also aggressively investigating major manufacturers and distributors of prescription opioids, and will soon be selecting an outside counsel to advance our efforts. This national epidemic has casted its shadow on too many cities across America and far too many families have felt the devastating effect of addiction. That is why we must fight this crisis on multiple fronts. [Read more…]

Feb. 16, 2018

Words cannot express the heartbreak and sorrow felt by students, teachers and parents in Parkland, Florida. This week a cowardly teenager, full of hate and bent on murder, entered Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and opened fire.

His actions killed 17 and wounded many more. Law enforcement and first responders arrived at the school quickly. Police escorted students to safety and arrested the shooter. I gathered my victim advocates and immediately headed to the scene. [Read more…]

Feb 2, 2018

Tax season is here and so are IRS imposter scams. These crimes are devastating and result in victims facing years of financial hardships. In recognition of Tax Identity Theft Awareness Week, I launched a Twitter campaign highlighting important tips Floridians should take to prevent becoming victims of tax identity theft. I encourage everyone to educate themselves on tax-related scams.

To help prevent tax identity theft follow these steps: [Read more…]

(NAPSI)—Recent research suggests drivers may be behind the wheel of more than 325,000 previously flooded vehicles. That’s a 20 percent increase from 2016 and a stark reminder to consumers to do due diligence when used-car shopping.

One Woman’s Story

“I bought a car last year and the seller never told us anything about it being a flood car,” said Charlene Geiger from Pennsylvania. “When we got home and ran a Carfax, there it was—a flood car from Hurricane Sandy. It showed that the seller bought it as a salvage car and the title was washed when he brought it to Pennsylvania. We lost $16,000 over all of it.”

Where To Be Most Wary

Vehicles reported as flood damaged by a state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), insurance companies and more have washed up in every state. These 10 have the most: [Read more…]

By Florida Senator Baxley

Keeping Each Other Safe:  This week in the Florida Senate, we will be presenting a bill called The Church Protection Bill. Every week across our great state small and large communities of faith, meet to share their faith walk. As they open their arms wide to receive the troubled souls and receive offerings for their mission, they also bear responsibility for each other’s safety. We have seen these safe havens become targets for violence. This bill will empower concealed permit holders to be part of a safety team in their community of faith to prevent acts of violence becoming massacres, as we have witnessed across the nation in incidents such as Sulphur Springs, Texas and Charleston, SC. What we have learned is that if we empower law-abiding citizens to stop violent acts, they can, they will, and they have. Let us strengthen this right of Self Defense for communities of faith across Florida.

Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Weekly Briefing – January 19, 2018

Florida is a zero-tolerance state for human trafficking, stopping this horrific crime and saving lives is a top priority of my administration. That is why I presented a resolution recognizing January as Human Trafficking Awareness Month. During National Human Trafficking Awareness Month, I am calling on all Floridians to join the fight in ending human trafficking.

Human trafficking is far too common across the globe and right here in Florida, with more than 20 million people worldwide being trafficked. My office launched the website, YouCanStopHT.com—so citizens can learn how to spot a trafficking victim and how to report the crime. Through awareness, if we can empower even one person to get involved, that person can save a life and improve our world. [Read more…]

Birding is the fastest growing new activity and January is peak birding time in central Florida so join Oklawaha Valley Audubon Society for a field trip and start 2018 off right.  On Friday, January 5, 2018, 8:00 am – 12:00 pm they will be doing Golf Cart Birding with the Villages Birding Club which is free.  On Sunday, January 14, 2018, 8:00 am – 2:00 pm they will be going to Circle B Reserve Birding and the cost is  $10 for members and $15 for non members.  Both trips will have expert guides and everyone is welcome no matter what your level of experience.  Attendees are encouraged to bring binoculars, cameras,  hats, water, snacks and wear comfortable hiking clothes and shoes.  Email [email protected] or call/text 609-553-0757  for details to register in advance.

The National Grange, headquartered in  Washington DC has issued a charter for a new chapter of their Fraternal organization here in Florida.  Named Tri County Grange #215 of Florida, it has been established in Lake County.

Barbara Borderieux, State Master/President recently presented the charter to Howard Sechler of Leesburg, who will serve as Master/President of the local group.

The Grange is a Fraternal organization, founded after the Civil War, in 1867, as a non profit, non partisan group with an agricultural base in history. The National Fraternity  has just celebrated their 150^th year in December. The Grange is part of nearly 2,000 hometowns across the United States, and is the first national organization to give full voice and vote to women 50 years before Congress adopted the same.  It stresses family values and community service in their activities and events.  They have a strong legislative voice and each year contribute many volunteer hours to worthwhile projects. [Read more…]