TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody today issued more than 40 subpoenas to third-party sellers in Florida accused of price gouging on essential commodities through accounts on Amazon. The subpoenas come as Attorney General Moody’s Consumer Protection Division continues to review allegations of unlawful price increases on essential commodities during the COVID-19 state of emergency. Allegations against the third-party vendors include excessive price increases on commodities such as face masks, hand sanitizers and disinfectants of up to 1,662 percent.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “Floridians are searching for essential products needed to stay safe and healthy during this COVID-19 pandemic. Sadly, when they find these products for sale online, they often discover that the price tag makes them unattainable. This is unacceptable and unlawful. My Consumer Protection investigators are working diligently to identify, investigate and bring to justice anyone trying to exploit this global health crisis to rip off Floridians, and we appreciate Amazon’s commitment to helping us stop third-party vendors trying to use its online platform to exploit the crisis.” Continue reading →

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody today issued a Consumer Alert urging Floridians to guard against cybercrimes when working from home. To slow the spread of COVID-19, more Americans than ever before are working remotely. The increase in online activity presents more opportunities for hackers and scammers to exploit home Wi-Fi or public internet connections to steal sensitive business or personal data.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “Florida businesses are going to great lengths to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by following the advice of health experts and allowing employees to work from home. While this is a vital step to mitigate this health crisis, it creates more opportunities for hackers and cybercriminals to steal sensitive data. I’m asking all Floridians to guard against cyberattacks and take steps to ensure sensitive information is protected.”

Steps Floridians can take to protect sensitive customer information, trade secrets or other information while working remotely include: Continue reading →

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody is asking Floridians to be cautious when researching information about coronavirus COVID-19. A malicious website displaying a live map of COVID-19 cases mimicking a legitimate map by Johns Hopkins University was recently reported. Once unwitting users click on the website, a program is activated that can access and steal sensitive user data. It is suspected that the website is being spread across the internet via infected email attachments and online advertisements. Governor Ron DeSantis has issued an executive order placing Florida under a state of emergency. During this health emergency, Floridians may be targeted by scammers seeking to take advantage of general concerns about the spread of the virus to defraud individuals and businesses.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “Scammers will use any occasion to prey on the emotions of unsuspecting consumers, and fear is a favorite tool of criminals trying to commit fraud. Please exercise caution when searching the internet for COVID-19 information and do not click on suspicious links or attachments.” Continue reading →

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Following Executive Order 20-52, Attorney General Ashley Moody today activated Florida’s Price Gouging Hotline for all consumers in the state. The opening of the hotline comes as Governor Ron DeSantis declares a state of emergency in response to positive test results of 20 coronavirus-infected patients in Florida. The Attorney General’s Price Gouging Hotline can only be activated following a state of emergency declaration issued by the Governor and covers essential commodities outlined in Florida Statute, Section 501.160.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “We are monitoring the COVID-19 situation in Florida very closely and following the Governor’s state of emergency declaration, our price gouging laws are now in effect. I have a rapid response team ready to immediately respond to allegations of price gouging and our Consumer Protection Division continues to look for scams by fraudsters who would use this situation to rip-off Floridians.

“Be on the lookout for scams and guard against gouging, but remember, the best thing you can do right now is heed the advice of health experts—wash hands regularly and stay home if you are ill.”For a list of the commodities covered under the state’s price gouging laws during the COVID-19 state of emergency, click MyFloridaLegal.com. Continue reading →

Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis activated the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program to support small businesses impacted by COVID-19. The bridge loan program, managed by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), will provide short-term, interest-free loans to small businesses that experienced economic injury from COVID-19. The application period opens tomorrow, March 17, 2020 and runs through May 8, 2020.

“As we mitigate against the spread of COVID-19, the health, safety and well-being of Floridians comes first,” said Governor DeSantis. “I understand the harm mitigation strategies will have on small businesses throughout our state. By activating the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan, we are providing the opportunity for Florida’s small businesses to receive cash immediately to ensure they can lessen the impacts felt as a result of COVID-19.”

DEO will administer the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program in partnership with the Florida SBDC Network and Florida First Capital Finance Corporation to provide cash flow to businesses economically impacted by COVID-19. The short-term, interest-free loans help bridge the gap between the time the economic impact occurred and when a business secures other financial resources, including payment of insurance claims or longer-term Small Business Administration (SBA) loans. Up to $50 million has been allocated for the program. Continue reading →

Quincy, Fla. – Today, First Lady Casey DeSantis announced that the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) has awarded a $1.2 million three-year grant to Gadsden County for a new Criminal Justice Diversion Project. This project will provide a comprehensive array of services and support for citizens with untreated mental health and substance abuse challenges that too often can trap them in the criminal justice system.

“I’m pleased to be working on this collaborative project that aims to reduce recidivism for those who struggle with mental illness and substance abuse disorders,” said First Lady Casey DeSantis. “With this new diversion program, Gadsden County joins a growing trend of recognizing that these individuals need real care and support to get back on their feet, find meaningful work, support their families and ultimately rejoin their communities.”

The Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office helped the county pursue the Criminal Justice, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Reinvestment Grant from DCF to implement the diversion project. The project partners with Florida A & M University’s (FAMU) Department of Social Work to provide comprehensive support services to ensure a coordinated response to the health needs of diversion project participants. Continue reading →

Tallahassee, Fla. – Governor Ron DeSantis sent a letter to President Donald Trump formally requesting that he declare a Major Disaster as Florida responds to COVID-19.

The letter requested the inclusion of the following Individual Assistance Programs in the declaration: Disaster Unemployment Assistance, Crisis Counseling, Community Disaster Loans and the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Program.

The declaration is submitted as a result of the COVID-19 response for the incident period beginning January 20, 2020, for all sixty-seven (67) counties. In addition to the Individual Assistance Programs, the declaration requests additional resources and support from FEMA.

To view the Governor’s letter to President Trump, go to https://www.flgov.com

Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis thanked members of the Florida Legislature for providing the necessary resources to address the state’s ongoing response to COVID-19. The Legislature’s action will support the Florida Department of Health’s ability to receive new funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“The Florida Department of Health now has the ability to receive nearly $28 million in critical federal funds to support Florida’s ongoing efforts to mitigate and contain COVID-19,” said Governor DeSantis. “These funds will increase capacity in our state labs for more testing and support our efforts to investigate and monitor cases. I thank Senate President Galvano and House Speaker Oliva for their swift action to make these dollars available.”

Today the Florida Department of Health received a notice of award for nearly $28 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to address the COVID-19 response in Florida.

“The Florida Department of Health will immediately begin working with the federal government to access these dollars,” said State Surgeon General Scott Rivkees. “Our state labs and epidemiological teams are working around the clock and this grant will help ensure we can continue to increase our capacity to combat COVID-19.”

Received a Restaurant Review about Eaton’s Beach in Weirsdale. Janet says she had Eaton’s Beach salmon. The salmon had a glaze that made the dish, the salad, red wine vinegrette, crisp lettuce tossed with corn, Applewood bacon, tomato, blue cheese crumbles, heart of palm, cucumbers, and egg. The service was friendly and very efficient. The price was $16.99 and I feel was well worth it. The writter says she has several food allergies and the server was more than gracious to have the kitchen meet her needs. Janet says I always feel they take care of the needs of those who have food issues.

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Took my wife to dinner for her birthday. She choose Horse and Hound. It was packed house, long wait to get seated but it was worth it. Monday night 2 for $25 Prime Rib was super great, fixed just the way I ask. My son’s and their wives attended. Really good experience. Continue reading →

Dear Friends,

As this column is being prepared, we are a few weeks in to the COVID-19 scare that has taken up much of our focus in the U.S. and most parts of the world. In Senate District 12, we have been very fortunate thus far, with only one reported virus case in the tri-county area of Lake, Marion and Sumter counties. So far, just over 200 cases have been reported statewide but that number is expected to be bit higher by the time this column reaches you. The response by our Governor and emergency management directors has been exceptional. In a state of 22 million people, that number could be much higher had it not been for their great leadership and quick response.

As we continue to monitor the situation, my message today is simple. Use caution. Not panic, fear or anxiousness but ordered and intentional caution. CDC guidelines for avoiding getting sick aren’t much different than those that are given for the common flu and that’s important to remember. Enduring these necessary precautions should help the risk to recede in the coming weeks. We should remain thankful, patient and resolved. Continue reading →