Florida State Wide
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and the Levy County Sheriff’s Office arrested a woman for organized fraud and fraudulent use of personal identification information to defraud a Medicaid provider. Carolyn Ausherman allegedly forged fraudulent Medicaid employee service logs, defrauding the Medicaid program out of more than $15,000.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “The Medicaid program provides necessary medical services to our most vulnerable citizens. To purposefully defraud this taxpayer-funded program for personal benefit is a gross injustice and exploitation of the patients dependent upon the care provided by Medicaid. I am confident my Medicaid Fraud Control Unit will continue to work diligently to hold accountable anyone who attempts to defraud the Medicaid program and taxpayer dollars.”
According to the investigation, Ausherman entered into an agreement with an employee of a Medicaid provider wherein Ausherman used the employee’s name to submit forged and fraudulent service logs to the Medicaid provider. The service logs submitted by Ausherman claimed that the employee provided caregiving services to the Medicaid recipient, a disabled adult. The investigation revealed that the employee never provided services to the disabled adult. The Medicaid provider issued paychecks to the employee that were then cashed and split with Ausherman. Continue reading
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Office of Statewide Prosecution has secured a life sentence for a Hillsborough county man that engaged in, and promoted, child sex pornography. The jury found Roger Labor guilty of lewd or lascivious molestation, two counts of use of a child in a sexual performance and 50 counts of possession of child pornography. The Honorable Michael Williams of Florida’s 13th Judicial Circuit sentenced Labor to life for lewd or lascivious molestation and a total of 75 additional years for the remaining charges.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “This disgusting excuse of a man will stay behind bars for life, right where he belongs. He is a predator and his actions were beyond vile and repugnant. I am so proud of the Office of Statewide Prosecution’s hard work on this case and for making sure he never victimizes a child again.”
Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Rick Swearingen said, “Heinous crimes like those committed by Labor have no place in civilized society, and I commend all those who worked tirelessly to bring him to justice. I hope this life sentence will help his victims to heal and will serve as a warning to those who would prey on the most vulnerable among us.”
In 2017, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement received cyber tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children indicating that a Google user in Hillsborough county uploaded suspected child pornography. After further investigation, law enforcement seized numerous electronic items from Labor’s residence. A forensic examination of the electronic items recovered more than 5,000 pornographic images. The investigation also discovered two victims that Labor molested and used to promote child pornography.
Assistant Statewide Prosecutors Rita Peters and Diana Bock prosecuted the case.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody today announced a $113 million agreement with Apple, Inc. regarding Apple’s decision to throttle consumers’ iPhone speeds in order to address unexpected shutdowns in some iPhones. Attorney General Moody is joined by more than 30 other attorneys general in reaching the agreement.
Based on the multistate investigation, Apple allegedly discovered that battery issues were leading to unexpected shutdowns in iPhones. Rather than disclosing these issues or replacing batteries, Apple updated software that reduced iPhone performance in an effort to keep the phones from unexpectedly shutting down.
The attorneys general allege that Apple’s decision to throttle the performance of consumers’ iPhones led to Apple profiting from selling additional iPhones to consumers whose phone performance Apple had slowed.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “Countless Floridians depend on their iPhones daily for necessary professional and personal communication and pay significant fees for this service. It is essential that a widespread and trusted service provider such as Apple provide accurate and reliable information about performance issues and viable options if service is disrupted. I am proud of this action that will require Apple to be more transparent to consumers and hold them accountable for their actions that negatively impacted many Floridians.” Continue reading
The Griffis family donated the easement which is within the critical O2O wildlife corridor
Jacksonville, Fla., Oct. 28, 2020 – North Florida Land Trust has received a donation of a conservation easement in Columbia County which lies within the critical Ocala to Osceola, or O2O, wildlife corridor. Sam “Buck” Griffis and his wife, Vickie, donated the land on their 68-acres known as Sweet Gum Farm to make sure it remains free from development forever. A grant NFLT received from the EJK Foundation of Houston, Texas helped to fund the due diligence that was needed to complete the donation.
“Buck and Vickie consider the farm a sanctuary and wanted to make sure no one could come in and turn their beautiful farm into a residential development,” said Jim McCarthy, president of NFLT. “The Griffis’ will continue to own the land where they enjoy raising cattle, horses and chickens while ensuring it will remain a farm and natural forest in perpetuity.”
In addition to the farmlands and some unimproved pastures, the property consists of pine flatwoods, depression marshes, mixed scrub-shrub wetlands and upland hardwood forests. It lies within the boundaries of the Osceola National Forest and is adjacent to the forest on two sides. Preserving the land not only protects it from development but also helps further the objectives of The Forest Plan for the National Forests in Florida. The plan aims to improve ownership patterns of the forest to enable important management techniques including prescribed burning.
The 1.6 million-acre O2O corridor is a preservation focus for NFLT. It provides an important habitat for the Florida Black Bear and numerous endangered species including the red-cockaded woodpecker, indigo snakes and gopher tortoises. The nonprofit is currently leading the O2O Wildlife Corridor Partnership, an effort by public and private organizations to accelerate land conservation within the O2O. Continue reading
(NAPSI)—Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurological disease that attacks the nerve cells. It first gained national attention as Lou Gehrig’s disease, named after the famous baseball player who was diagnosed with ALS in 1939. To date, the cause of ALS is unknown, and there is still no known cure. The disease strikes quickly, usually leading to death within 2–5 years of diagnosis. But every person with ALS has an individual story, and understanding these stories will help researchers ultimately piece together clues about the disease.
Ed Tessaro was diagnosed with ALS in 2009. As he learned to cope with this diagnosis, he reflects, “I’ve never considered myself a victim of the disease, because I believe in my heart all of us have a wheelchair. In my case, it’s quite literal, but with everything that goes on in my life, I realize that every family has had a crisis.” One of the things that helps him and others with ALS is reaching out for community support and resources. “The ongoing struggle is to encourage newly diagnosed people to come in and talk about their condition. I want to help people learn about the National ALS Registry, clinical trials, and other resources that can provide support and hope.”
The National ALS Registry helps gather information from those who are living with this disease. Researchers from all around the world can access the Registry data to help scientists learn more about what causes this disease. Everyone’s story is different, and everyone’s piece of the puzzle is essential. The Registry has found that more than 16,000 people with ALS live in the United States. It is important to include as many people as possible living with the disease to get the most accurate information. When patients join, it helps give researchers more information. This could lead to a better understanding of the causes of ALS, because learning more about the disease is one step further in the battle to defeat it.
If you or someone you care about has ALS, consider learning more about the National ALS Registry by visiting: www.cdc.gov/als.
(NAPSI)—The Elizabeth Dole Foundation and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs have launched an emergency respite care fund for the family caregivers of wounded, ill, and injured veterans. The program, Respite Relief for Military and Veteran Caregivers, will provide non-medical, no-cost, professional home care to veteran caregivers who are struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic. CareLinx, a nationwide professional home care network, helped launch the fund with a donation of $1 million worth of services. Wounded Warrior Project then contributed an additional $1 million to expand the program. The Foundation expects to provide 75,000 hours of care to more than 3,000 veteran caregivers.
“The lack of affordable, convenient, professional respite care has always taken a significant toll on the emotional and physical well-being of veteran caregivers,” said Steve Schwab, CEO of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation. “Now, due to the increased health risks and limitations created by the pandemic, we are seeing a spike in the need for short-term relief.”
Even as states re-open, some of the most critically wounded or ill veterans and their caregivers will have a long journey back to the pre-pandemic world. These veterans often have vulnerable immune systems that require their caregivers to take every precaution against exposure. By asking family and friends to keep their distance, they are losing a vital source of daily support.
“We are grateful to CareLinx and Wounded Warrior Project for helping us respond to this urgent need,” Schwab continued. “We hope other organizations also step up, so we can ensure every veteran caregiver suffering during COVID-19 receives the help they need.”
The program is rolling out in select regions and will expand nationwide over time. Eligible caregivers can request services that include companionship, grocery shopping, cooking, mobility assistance, transportation, bathing, and other activities of daily living. AARP and Bob Woodruff Foundation have also joined as key collaborators for this effort to help spread the word to military and veteran caregivers.
To learn more and apply, visit www.hiddenheroes.org/respite.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody is securing more than $11 million in relief for Floridians harmed as a result of Ocwen’s alleged improper mortgage servicing practices. The proposed final consent judgment, pending adoption by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, resolves the lawsuit brought by the state of Florida through the Attorney General’s Office and the Office of Financial Regulation against Ocwen Financial Corporation, Ocwen Mortgage Servicing, Inc., Ocwen Loan Servicing, LLC and PHH Mortgage Corporation.
The agreement between Florida and Ocwen will provide at least $8.6 million in consumer relief, including $2.1 million to Floridians who were harmed as a result of Ocwen’s alleged servicing failures, including untimely payments of borrowers’ insurance premiums, improper imposition of lender-placed insurance and overcharging for property preservation inspections. Other benefits obtained for Florida borrowers include at least $1 million in mortgage loan modifications and approximately $5.5 million in late fee waivers for eligible borrowers. Ocwen will also pay more than $3 million in civil penalties and reimbursement for the Attorney General Office’s fees and costs.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “This resolution is a continuation of our efforts to correct harmful deficiencies in mortgage servicing practices and ensure that distressed homeowners who have been impacted by servicing errors receive much-needed relief—relief that is especially important in these challenging times.” Continue reading
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody is recognizing October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month by reminding victims of domestic violence that help is still available to them amid the COVID-19 pandemic. With many Floridians limiting social and professional interactions to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus, domestic violence can be even harder to detect—and victims may not know where to turn for help. Victims do not need to isolate with their abusers and abuse counselors have adapted to the pandemic to provide more communication resources for victims. Advocates can be reached 24/7, 365 days a year through the Florida Domestic Violence Hotline by calling 1(800) 500-1119.
Attorney Ashley General Moody said, “With signs that domestic violence cases may be on the rise amid the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever for victims of domestic violence to know they have our support and that help is available. Domestic violence shelters across the state are open and advocates are available 24/7 to provide safety to victims and their families with protocols to protect against COVID-19 in place. If you or someone you know are a victim of domestic violence, know you are not alone. Please reach out for help.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic, domestic violence centers have worked tirelessly to ensure that services remain available to survivors and the community. These services not only meet the needs for safety from violence but also incorporate measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Domestic violence center outreach and shelter services remain operational and advocates are available 24/7 to develop safety plans for survivors and families based on specific needs throughout the pandemic. Survivors, as well as their friends, family members and other community members can contact any domestic violence center through its 24-hour hotlines. Local certified domestic violence centers have increased the ability to communicate with survivors through the use of various applications. Continue reading
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody, along with 27 other state attorneys general, obtained a judgment against Tennessee-based Community Health Systems, Inc., and its subsidiary, CHSPSC LLC. This judgment resolves an investigation of a data breach that impacted approximately 6.1 million patients, including more than 430,000 from the state of Florida.
At the time of the data breach, CHS owned, leased or operated 206 affiliated hospitals, including 37 located in Florida. Information exposed in the breach included the addresses, birthdates, names, phone numbers and Social Security numbers of patients. The judgment, agreed to by CHS, requires a $5 million payment to the states and provides that CHS agrees to implement and maintain a comprehensive information security program reasonably designed to safeguard personal information and protected health information that will include specific information security requirements.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “Health care patients are routinely asked to reveal personal information in the course of treatment. The added stress surrounding a data breach exposing personal information can be overwhelming. I’m glad we were able to provide relief to the more than 430,000 Floridians impacted by the negligent actions of this health care company.” Continue reading
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—The COVID-19 pandemic has changed daily routines around the world, but it hasn’t lessened Attorney General Ashley Moody’s resolve to end the deadly opioid crisis plaguing Florida. Even as the novel coronavirus spreads, Attorney General Moody continues efforts to curb the national opioid crisis claiming lives in Florida—issuing statewide recommendations to address the opioid crisis, creating new partnerships to help Floridians struggling with substance abuse and crafting criminal justice training to assist prosecutors in shutting down the sham sober home industry.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “Our nation and our state face many challenges, but be assured that nothing will dampen my resolve to put an end to the national opioid crisis that continues to claim lives in our great state. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic struck Florida, we were working hard to stop opioid misuse and save lives, and as we continue to work together to stop the spread of COVID-19, please know that our fight against the deadly opioid crisis has not abated.
“There are signs that the pandemic may be contributing to an increase in opioid deaths, and that is even more reason why we cannot waiver in our fight to stop drug abuse—and why I will continue to work every day, on the local, state and national level, to end this deadly crisis affecting Florida families.” Continue reading
