TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Following a request from Alachua County Sheriff Sadie Darnell, Governor Rick Scott today signed Executive Order 17-264 to assist local law enforcement’s response to rallies planned on the University of Florida campus this Thursday. EO 17-264 activates Florida’s Mutual Aid Plan which allows the state and Sheriff Darnell to quickly coordinate resources from other state, county and municipal law enforcement agencies. See the Executive Order HERE.

Governor Scott remains in constant communication with state and local law enforcement and University leadership to ensure that every request to the state is quickly granted to keep the public safe. Continue reading →

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott announced one reappointment and two appointments to the Florida Violent Crime and Drug Control Council.

William Snyder, 65, of Stuart, currently serves as the Sheriff of Martin County and received his bachelor’s degree from Florida Gulf Coast University. Sheriff Snyder is reappointed for a term beginning October 16, 2017, and ending on June 30, 2019.

A.J. “Tony” Smith, 58, of Apalachicola, currently serves as the Sheriff of Franklin County and received his bachelor’s degree from Barry University. Sheriff Smith succeeds retired Sheriff Ben Johnson and is appointed for a term beginning October 16, 2017, and ending on June 30, 2019. Continue reading →

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Office is participating in the first coordinated federal-state civil enforcement crackdown involving student loan debt relief scams. These scams unlawfully took a combined total of more than $95 million in upfront fees from students nationwide. The crackdown involves a total of 36 state or federal actions against student debt relief companies, with Attorney General Bondi’s Office filing two of these lawsuits, as well as a third action to compel compliance with an investigative subpoena. The Attorney General’s Office also reached a settlement with a student loan debt relief company in a fourth matter that ensures the company will no longer operate in Florida. Continue reading →