Attorney General Bondi Announces $92 Million Multi-State Settlement with JPMorgan Chase & Co. over Anti-competitive Scheme

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. –Today, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that
Florida, along with 24 other Attorneys General, has reached a $92 million
settlement with JPMorgan Chase & Co. for its alleged role in a nationwide
scheme to rig bids and engage in other anti-competitive, fraudulent conduct
relating to municipal bond derivatives. Florida’s portion of the settlement
is undetermined at this time. The victims of the alleged conduct included
state agencies, local governments and not-for-profit entities. The
multistate settlement is part of a coordinated settlement JPMorgan Chase &
Co. is entering into simultaneously with the United States Department of
Justice’s Antitrust Division, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and
the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.

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South Florida Agencies, Attorney General to Discuss Compliance Inspections

Attorney General Pam Bondi will join the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Miami Regional Operations Center, the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and the Sunrise Police Department at a press conference to discuss the Miami area compliance checks.

The press conference details are as follows:

Date: Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Location: Broward County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 2601 West Broward Boulevard, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33312

The media is invited to take video and photography of the controlled substances quarantined during the inspections as follows:

Date: Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Time: 3:00 p.m.
Location: FDLE Miami Regional Operations Center
Address: 1030 NW 111th Avenue, Miami, FL 33172

For Further Information Contact:
Heather Smith, Keith Kameg or Kristi Gordon
FDLE Office of Public Information
(850) 410-7001

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Attorney General Bondi Applauds the House of Representatives for Passing Bill Separating Occupational Licensing Requirements from Restoration of Civil Rights

TALLAHASSEE—Attorney General Pam Bondi applauds the House of
Representatives for today’s unanimous passage of Senate Bill 146/House Bill
449, which will separate the restoration of civil rights from the
evaluation of occupational license applications. The legislation was
sponsored by Senator Chris Smith and Representative Dwayne Taylor, and
passed as Senate Bill 146.

“This legislation will both promote public safety and help ex-felons find
gainful employment,” stated Attorney General Bondi. “I appreciate the
leadership of Rep. Taylor and Sen. Smith on this important issue.”

# # #

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Attorney General Bondi Releases Easter Holiday Statement

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.–Today, Attorney General Pam Bondi issued the following
statement regarding the upcoming Easter Holiday.

“Along with so many Floridians, my family and I will be celebrating the
Easter holiday this Sunday. As we celebrate the miracles of God and
Christ’s resurrection, the Easter holiday is a wonderful time to reflect on
our blessings and to be grateful for new beginnings. I wish you all a
happy Easter.”

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Attorney General Bondi’s Statement on the Passage of Pill Mill Legislation by the House Appropriations Committee

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Attorney General Pam Bondi applauds the House of
Representatives Appropriations Committee for today’s passage of House Bill
7095. This legislation is sponsored by Representative Robert Schenck.

“The House Appropriations Committee today passed legislation that will
greatly increase the tools available to crack down on pill mills and
prescription drug abuse. I applaud Rep. Schenck and Speaker Cannon for
their hard work on this important legislation, which will truly make a
difference in the fight against pill mills.”
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Attorney General Bondi Warns Consumers of Home Loan Modification Scams

Tallahassee, Fla.–Today, Attorney General Pam Bondi filed a complaint
against a home loan modification company for allegedly requiring consumers
to pay an upfront fee for services. According to an investigation by the
Attorney General’s Office, U.S. Mitigators, LLC, a company providing home
loan modification services, was allegedly requiring consumers to pay an
upfront fee of $2,100 before services were rendered. Many consumers
reported paying the $2,100 fee and an additional $399 application fee for
services they never received. The Attorney General’s complaint against the
company seeks more than $48,000 in restitution for consumers.

“Charging upfront fees for loan modification services is illegal,” said
Attorney General Pam Bondi. “If consumers have been asked to pay upfront
fees for these types of services, I encourage them to file a complaint with
my office.”

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Attorney General Pam Bondi Issues Statement on Prescription Drug Monitoring Program

TALLAHASSEE—Attorney General Pam Bondi issued the following statement
regarding the Department of Health’s final order that begins implementation
of the prescription drug monitoring program.

“Stopping pill mills has been my top priority since I took office, and the
prescription drug monitoring program that the Department of Health will now
be implementing is an important tool in combating this crisis,” stated
Attorney General Pam Bondi. “As part of a criminal investigation, the
program will enable law enforcement to act more quickly in identifying and
arresting pill mill operators.”

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Attorney General Pam Bondi Applauds House Judiciary Committee for Passage of Bill to Separate Occupational Licensing Requirements from Restoration of Civil Rights

TALLAHASSEE—Attorney General Pam Bondi applauds the House of
Representatives Judiciary Committee for today’s unanimous passage of House
Bill 449, sponsored by Representative Dwayne Taylor, which will separate
the restoration of civil rights from the requirement to obtain an
occupational license. … Continue Reading

Attorney General Bondi Kicks-Off 2011 Law Enforcement Torch Run

TALLAHASSEE, FLA – Today Attorney General Pam Bondi kicked-off the 2011 Law
Enforcement Torch Run, benefiting the Special Olympics.  Attorney General
Bondi was joined by Governor Rick Scott, Senate President Mike Haridopolos,
more than 300 law enforcement officers, and supporters from across the
state.  The correctional community will carry the “Flame of Hope” on a
1,500-mile journey throughout Florida for the 29th year of this tradition. … Continue Reading

Statement by Attorney General Bondi on House Bill 449 Passing First Committee

TALLAHASSEE, Fla –Attorney General Pam Bondi issued the following statement
after testifying before the House Governmental Operations Subcommittee in
support of House Bill 449 by Representative Dwayne Taylor. House Bill 449
passed the House committee unanimously.

“Licensing decisions should be based on the licensing agency’s
individualized review of the applicant’s qualifications and background.

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Attorney General Bondi Warns of Telephone Scam Using False Caller Identification

TALLAHASSEE, Fla – Attorney General Pam Bondi today issued a consumer
advisory warning of a new scam targeting elderly citizens.  The Florida
Attorney General’s Office has been notified of a scam where a person uses
false caller identification displaying a relative or friend’s information
and personal details of the victim to solicit funds. … Continue Reading

One-Year Anniversary of the Historic Legal Fight Against Federal Health Care Law

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Tomorrow, March 23, 2011, marks the one-year
anniversary of the filing of the lawsuit by Florida and numerous other
states challenging the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
(PPACA).  The lawsuit has been successful thus far, with a federal district
judge ruling that PPACA’s individual insurance mandate is unconstitutional
and striking down the Act in its entirety. The case is currently pending on
appeal before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit, which has
ordered an expedited briefing schedule. … Continue Reading

Attorney General Bondi and Florida Cabinet Recognize March 21 as “World Down Syndrome Day”

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi and the Florida
Cabinet recognized March 21 as “World Down Syndrome Day.” The Florida
Cabinet approved the resolution sponsored by Attorney General Bondi. … Continue Reading

Attorney General Bondi Petitions for Expedited Appeal in Heath Care Lawsuit

TALLAHASSEE, FLA – Today, Attorney General Pam Bondi filed a petition for
an expedited, full-court hearing of the health care lawsuit with the 11th
Circuit Court of Appeals. An “en banc” hearing, if granted, would mean the
appellate review would be held before all 10 active 11th Circuit judges,
rather than the typical three-judge panel.  The reason for requesting an en
banc hearing is to avoid any unnecessary delays that may arise if a
three-judge panel decides the case and then refers it for a hearing by the
full 11th Circuit.  If Attorney General Bondi’s request is granted, the
full 11th Circuit would hear the case on June 6. … Continue Reading

Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi Reaches Landmark $68.5 Million Settlement with AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals

TALLAHASSEE, Fla — Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi announced today that
Florida, along with 37 other states, reached a record $68.5 million-dollar
settlement with AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP for the alleged improper
marketing of the antipsychotic drug Seroquel. This settlement is the
largest settlement in the nation’s history of a multi-state consumer
protection-based investigation against a pharmaceutical company. The
Attorneys General from Florida and Illinois led the investigation into
AstraZeneca’s marketing and promotional practices and Florida’s share of
the 37-state settlement will be just over $4 million in addition to
stopping the conduct. … Continue Reading

Attorney General Bondi Joined Cabinet in Approving New Rules in the Restoration of Civil Rights Process

TALLAHASSEE, FLA – Attorney General Pam Bondi today joined Governor Rick
Scott, Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater, and Commissioner of
Agriculture Adam Putnam in approving new rules on the process to restore
civil rights for convicted felons. The new rules will be effective
immediately by a unanimous vote which took place in the Clemency Board
meeting Wednesday morning. … Continue Reading

Department of Justice Files Notice of Appeal in the Federal Health Care Lawsuit

Media Advisory

To: Interested State Media
Date: March 8, 2011
Subject: Department of Justice Files Notice of Appeal in the Federal Health
Care Lawsuit

The Department of Justice filed a Notice of Appeal in the Federal Health
Care Lawsuit on Tuesday afternoon.
To access the notice of appeal click here:
http://myfloridalegal.com/webfiles.nsf/WF/JDAS-8ERU6V/$file/DOJNoticeofAppeal03082011.pdf

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Attorney General Bondi Statement on Judge Dismissing Bid Protest of Prescription Drug Monitoring Program

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Pam Bondi today issued the following
statement regarding the ruling to dismiss the bid protest halting the
Department of Health’s implementation of the Prescription Drug Monitoring
Program or “PDMP”:

“The prescription drug database can be an important part of the fight
against pill mills. Hopefully this ruling will end needless delays to the
implementation of Florida’s database.

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Attorney General Bondi Appluads Representative Hudson For Filing Health Care Blocking Statute

Tallahassee – Representative Matt Hudson (R-Naples) has filed HB 1193 relating to Health Insurance. HB 1193 provides that Floridians cannot be mandated to purchase health insurance. The legislation will also provide a different direct standing basis for the Attorney General’s legal challenge of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act going forward. … Continue Reading

Judge Vinson Issues Response to Federal Government in Health Care Lawsuit

TALLAHASSEE, FLA- Attorney General Pam Bondi today announced that Judge
Roger Vinson has issued a response to the Department of Justice’s most
recent motion in the health care lawsuit.  The judge’s order granted the
Department of Justice’s motion to clarify but then scolds DOJ for waiting
two weeks to file that motion.  The judge treated this as a motion to stay,
as we requested, and granted the motion for stay on the condition that DOJ
files their appeal within seven days along with a request for expedited
review. … Continue Reading