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From: "Attorney General Pam Bondi" <agnews@myfloridalegal.com>
Date: Feb 12, 2016 2:00 PM
Subject: Attorney General Bondi's Weekly Briefing
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PROTECTING FLORIDIANS | TEXT VERSION | EN ESPAÑOL
Attorney General Bondi's Weekly Briefing
Florida law enforcement officers risk their lives daily to protect their communities, and this week, I had the privilege of honoring a few of these brave public servants. Every year we host the Florida Attorney General's Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Awards. The nominees are selected for their acts of bravery and courage.
To watch the awards ceremony, visit TheFloridaChannel.org.
This year, we named Taylor County Sheriff's Deputy Robert Lundy the Law Enforcement Officer of the Year. While waiting on his vehicle to be serviced at a Perry car dealership, Lundy was called upon to defend the dealership employees and customers.
A man drove his car through the front of the dealership and began firing. Deputy Lundy was hit by a shotgun blast to the abdomen from less than five feet away. With little hesitation, Lundy drew his weapon and returned fire, wounding the assailant and ending the assault.
Lundy's bravery in the face of certain death saved the lives of two injured employees and potentially everyone in the dealership that day. Lundy paid dearly. He underwent surgery for his stomach wound, spent several weeks in a coma and continues to face a long recovery as a result of this incident.
Deputy Lundy is truly a hero, but so are all of our nominees, and countless other brave Florida law enforcement officers. We will never be able to express our true gratitude for all that they do to protect us, but the next time you see an officer, please thank them for their service.
In The News
Tech support firms settle FTC, Florida charges they misled consumers, Palm Beach Post
KB Home settles multi-million dollar lawsuit with Florida Attorney General, WFTS ABC Action News
Robert Lundy named 2015 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year, Tallahassee Democrat
Five arrested in Florida cargo theft ring, WJXT News 4 Jax
PAM BONDI CHEERS SUPREME COURT HALTING PRESIDENT OBAMA'S CLEAN POWER PLAN, Florida Politics
Protecting Floridians
The Bureau of Criminal Justice Programs
The Florida Attorney General's Bureau of Criminal Justice Programs that lies within the Division of Victim Services administers important training through the Florida Crime Prevention Training Institute. Programs include training in crime prevention, victim services, elderly crime issues and school resource officer training. The Bureau also administers the following programs: the Crime Stoppers Trust Fund grant program, the Urban League grant-in-aid program, the Human Trafficking Summit, the Law Enforcement Death Benefits program, the Convenience Business Security Act and the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys as well as, the annual Preventing Crime in the Black Community Conference.
Floridians Receiving Final Compensation in Military Targeted Lending Scheme
Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that 166 Floridians received more $180,000 as a final result of a global settlement against Rome Finance Company and related entities. In 2014, Attorney General Bondi, 12 other state attorneys general and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau reached a settlement with Rome Finance that liquidated the company and its successor corporations, and provided close to $92 million in debt relief to United States service members worldwide. A related victim fund recently issued $3.7 million in final partial compensation to more than 3,000 consumers, including the Florida recipients.
"This is a great settlement for our service members who I cannot thank enough for their tremendous service and sacrifice," said Attorney General Bondi. "We will never be able to repay the brave members of our military, but my office will work diligently to protect them from unfair and deceptive business practices, and go after anyone trying to take advantage of our veterans or their families." More.
Settlement Reached Regarding Tech Support Scam
Attorney General Pam Bondi's Office and the Federal Trade Commission announced a settlement with Boost Software, Inc., Boost Software's principal Amit Mehta, Vast Tech Support, LLC's principals Elliot Lowenstern and Jon-Paul Vasta and related entities. In November 2014, Attorney General Bondi's Office and the FTC filed a complaint against Boost Software, Vast Tech Support, OMG Tech Help, LLC, the companies' principals and related entities for deceptively marketing computer software and tech support services.
Through websites and pop-up ads, Boost Software advertised and sold a registry software product, PC HealthBoost, claiming the product could dramatically increase computer speed and protect from errors, crashes and freezes. After consumers downloaded a free version of PC HealthBoost, a system scan allegedly misled consumers to believe that their computer had hundreds or thousands of errors in need of repair, regardless of whether the computer had any performance issues. To fix the non-existent errors, Boost Software allegedly urged consumers to pay nearly $30 for the registered version of PC HealthBoost. For a typical consumer, PC HealthBoost does not significantly increase computer speed or prevent computer freezes or crashes. More.
Multi-Million Dollar Settlement Reached in International Wire Transfer Scheme
Attorney General Pam Bondi, 48 other states and the District of Columbia announced a settlement with MoneyGram Payment Systems, Inc., a Dallas-based money transfer company. The settlement resolves a multi-state investigation into MoneyGram's wire transfer service. Consumer complaints against MoneyGram allege that third parties in foreign countries fraudulently induced consumers to wire transfer money through MoneyGram's wire transfer service.
As part of the settlement, MoneyGram agreed to maintain and continue to improve a comprehensive and robust anti-fraud program designed to help detect these fraudulent schemes and to prevent consumers from suffering financial losses resulting from fraudulently induced wire transfers. More.
Attorney General's Office Enters Multi-Million Dollar Settlement with KB HOME
The Florida Attorney General's Office announced a multi-million dollar settlement with home builder KB HOME and its Florida subsidiaries. The Attorney General's Office entered a stipulated consent decree and final judgment to resolve a three-year investigation of KB HOME for violations of the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act. KB HOME allegedly failed to make certain disclosures to home buyers regarding the construction of some of its homes and improperly denied warranty coverage to certain homeowners who were otherwise covered. More.
United States Supreme Court Halts Unlawful Power Plan
Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that the U.S. Supreme Court ordered an immediate halt to President Barack Obama's unlawful power plan. The Court order is in response to a legal challenge brought by a bipartisan coalition of 29 states and state agencies, including Florida. While the stay is a major victory, the states' litigation to stop the administration's unlawful overreach continues in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals.
"This U.S. Supreme Court order is a huge victory for Florida families, businesses and the rule of law. Once again, this administration is ignoring the limits of its authority in trying to impose harmful and heavy-handed regulations on Floridians and the rest of the country. I am pleased the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of the states and halted the implementation of these illegal actions," said Attorney General Bondi. More.
Five Arrested in Florida Cargo Theft Ring
Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the arrests of five Miami-Dade County residents in connection to an organized cargo theft ring. The arrests are the result of an investigation by Attorney General Bondi's Office of Statewide Prosecution, with the assistance of the Miami-Dade Police Department, Miami Metropolitan Major Theft Task Force and the Florida Highway Patrol Commercial Vehicle and Cargo Theft Task Force.
According to the investigation, the defendants typically traveled from Miami-Dade County in a rental vehicle to search for tractor trailers they could easily steal. Once the defendants stole both the cargo and trailers, they returned to Miami to sell the stolen property on the black market. More.
Events
Attorney General Bondi speaking to the members of the Hillsborough community at Hillsborough County Days in the Florida Capitol Courtyard.
Attorney General Bondi taking a crowded selfie with Executive Vice President of SunTrust Bank Jeff Goodwin on her left, Rhonda Nelson on her right, and other members of Leadership Tampa where ever they could find a spot.
Attorney General Bondi meeting with Tampa Police Department Chief Eric Ward on Hillsborough County Days.
Attorney General Bondi visiting with students from Yvonne Fry Plant High School visiting the Florida Capitol.
Attorney General Bondi, with the Attorney General's Special Counsel for Open Government Pat Gleason, visiting with Leon High School foreign exchange students from Hennes, France.
Attorney General Bondi delivering the keynote address to the 132nd Florida Highway Patrol graduating class. Colonel Gene Spaulding, Chief Mark Brown and Executive Director Terry Rhoades, joined Attorney General Bondi in congratulating the new troopers.
Attorney General Bondi meeting with the other members of the Florida Commission on Access to Civil Justice, chaired by Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Jorge Labarga.
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