Capital Soup

Florida News Straight From the Source

You are here: Home / Archives for Caden Delisa

Caden Delisa

Update – Tallahassee woman rearrested following FDLE fraud investigation

Posted on

Update – Tallahassee woman rearrested following FDLE fraud investigation

Arrestee faces new grand theft charge

For Immediate Release

June 21, 2024

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) arrested Paula Lynne Mrozek (aka Paula Lynne Burke), 52, of Tallahassee, for grand theft over $750 and less than $5,000. The Florida Highway Patrol assisted in the arrest.

FDLE agents received a new tip from a local credit union that Mrozek’s bank deposits were suspicious. The investigation revealed that Mrozek deposited 168 money orders that appear to have been stolen from the Florida Department of Revenue. Three of the deposited money orders were altered similar to the altered money orders in her Feb. 21, 2024 arrest.

The case is being investigated by FDLE Tallahassee Organized Crime squad.

Mrozek was booked into the Leon County Jail on June 19 under the name Paula Lynne Burke. Additional charges are pending completion of the investigation. She will be prosecuted by the State Attorney’s Office, Second Judicial Circuit.

 

Initial Release – February 22, 2024

 TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) yesterday arrested Paula Lynne Mrozek, 52, of Tallahassee on grand theft charges of more than $20,000, a second-degree felony.

Mrozek, a Florida Department of Revenue (DOR) employee, is charged with altering money orders intended for motor vehicle taxes and depositing them into her personal bank account while she worked for DOR. In all, Mrozek made 41 deposits of altered money orders totaling $23,915.88. DOR has initiated dismissal procedures for Mrozek.

Authorities at DOR were alerted to the criminal activity when a local credit union noticed suspicious ATM activity and notified the agency.

Mrozek is being held in the Leon County Jail pending first appearance. She will be prosecuted by the State Attorney’s Office, Second Judicial Circuit.

 

For Further Information Contact:

FDLE Office of Public Information

(850) 410-7001

Rep. Waldron: Bill Signed by Governor Will Bring Funding to Help Reverse the Stigma Surrounding Addiction and Mental Health

Posted on

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 20, 2024

CONTACT

Roselle Gibbs

Office of Representative Katherine Waldron

[email protected]

850-717-5093

Rep. Waldron: Bill Signed by Governor Will Bring Funding to Help Reverse the Stigma Surrounding Addiction and Mental Health

GREENACRES, Fla. – Representative Katherine Waldron (D-Greenacres) announced HB 403 was recently signed into law by Governor DeSantis and becomes effective October 1, 2024. This bill will enable the Project Addiction: Reversing the Stigma organization to create an “Overdose Awareness” specialty license plate. A portion of the annual use fees will go to help reverse the stigma of addiction and mental health through outreach and education.

“There is a growing mental health problem and substance use disorder in our  state and in our country,” said Representative Waldron. “Almost everyone has a family member, friend or colleague who has been impacted by this problem.”

Proceeds from the sales of these plates, will go towards the Project Addiction: Reversing the Stigma organization. The organization was founded by a group of residents who gathered in their grief after having lost a loved one to addiction and mental health.

Rosemarie Aldred, Project Addiction: Reversing the Stigma, Board of Directors stated, “We are so excited that HB 403 passed for the Overdose Awareness Specialty License plate. We want to take this opportunity to thank The Honorable Representative Katherine Waldron for her support and efforts in sponsoring this initiative. Together we will all save lives!”

###

Representative Katherine Waldron and Senator Gayle Harrell Announce They Secured Funding for Accessible Housing for Disabled Adults

Posted on

CONTACT

Roselle Gibbs

Office of Representative Katherine Waldron

[email protected]

(850)717-5093

 

Representative Katherine Waldron and Senator Gayle Harrel Announce They Secured Funding for Accessible Housing for Disabled Adults

 

GREENACRES, Fla. – In an effort to promote independent living and greater autonomy for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Representative Katherine Waldron (D-Greenacres) and Senator Gayle Harrell (R-Stuart) secured $1,000,000 in appropriations for the IDDeal Place to help fund the construction of a new facility in Lake Worth.  

The IDDeal Place, in partnership with the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation, is focused on providing safe, affordable, accessible housing for individuals with intellectual and development disabilities.  This will be a model that can be replicated in the state. This will be a model that can be replicated in the state.

Representative Waldron said, “I am very proud to join with the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation and the contributors to the IDDeal Place in making this project become a reality.”

Senator Harrell said, “The Pulte Family Charitable Foundation and the IDDeal Place will be able to make independent living a reality for many that would not have been able to live independently. I am delighted to have been a small part of this endeavor and thankful that Governor DeSantis signed the budget including this project.”

Jeff Bookstein, Vice President of Development, Pulte Family Charitable Foundation stated, “The IDDeal Place will provide permanent housing for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). This first of its kind in Palm Beach County, with the third largest population of I/DD residents in the State, will offer a safe and affordable home that will serve as a template for similar initiatives. In addition to a permanent home, the residents will be part of a nurturing environment that encourages growth and participation in the community. We are grateful to Representative Katherine Waldron (D-93), Senator Gayle Harrel (D-25), House and Senate Conferences, and all who have supported this urgent endeavor.”

###

Data Call Notice: Invest 90L South Florida Flash Flooding Catastrophe Reporting

Posted on

DATA CALL NOTICE:

Invest 90L South Florida Flash Flooding Catastrophe Reporting

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) is providing notice to insurers to file a Simplified 2024 Catastrophe Reporting Form (CRF) through the Insurance Regulation Filing System (IRFS). Data must be provided in accordance with the deadline below.

OIR is instituting this data call for the purpose of collecting additional claims and other relevant information from insurers related to a natural disaster causing catastrophic damage in the state of Florida. This authority is mandated pursuant to section 624.307, Florida Statutes.

Reporting Deadlines for Invest 90L South Florida Flash Flooding

OIR is requiring weekly simplified catastrophe reporting for Invest 90L South Florida Flash Flooding. Weekly reporting deadlines for Invest 90L South Florida Flash Flooding:

  • Wednesday, June 26, 2024

  • Wednesday, July 3, 2024

  • Wednesday, July 10, 2024

  • Wednesday, July 17, 2024

Data must be submitted by 12 p.m. ET for each reporting deadline.

OIR will notify insurers if additional reporting deadlines are required.

At this time, insurers must report using the Simplified 2024 CRF, which does not include the “Survey” tab within the CRF template.

The CRF provides valuable information to OIR and the state of Florida regarding the impact of a hurricane or other event. It is critical that data submitted is timely and accurate.

Recent claims reporting notices and other resources are available here on the OIR website.

Required Filers

All insurers currently authorized to write the following lines of business in Florida are required to report Invest 90L South Florida Flash Flooding claims data:

  • FIRE;
  • ALLIED LINES;
  • FARMOWNERS MULTI-PERIL;
  • HOMEOWNERS MULTI-PERIL;
  • COMMERCIAL MULTI-PERIL;
  • PRIVATE FLOOD;
  • OCEAN MARINE;
  • INLAND MARINE;
  • PPA PHYSICAL DAMAGE;
  • COMMERCIAL AUTO PHYSICAL DAMAGE;
  • AIRCRAFT;
  • GLASS;
  • BOILER AND MACHINERY;
  • INDUSTRIAL FIRE;
  • INDUSTRIAL EXTENDED COVERAGE;
  • MOBILE HOME MULTI-PERIL;
  • MOBILE HOME PHYSICAL DAMAGE;
  • MULTI-PERIL CROP;
  • SURPLUS LINES FEDERALLY AUTHORIZED; and
  • SURPLUS LINES PROPERTY AND CASUALTY.

How to File the CRF

Insurers are to report Invest 90L South Florida Flash Flooding claims data using the 2024 CRF.

The 2024 CRF template must be downloaded within your filing in IRFS here. A sample of the template is available below.

  • Each insurer must submit its CRF on an individual insurer basis only.
  • If an insurer has no policies in force in Florida for the required lines, the insurer must submit a “No Data” filing.
  • If the insurer has policies in force in Florida for the required lines of business but no claims, the insurer must submit a “No Data” filing.
  • “No Data” filings are only required for the initial reporting notice. However, a company reporting policies in force in Florida must submit “Data” filings once claims are received.
  • Reporting is cumulative and must include all claims as of the reporting date.
  • Each insurer must download a new template. Previously downloaded templates will not work.

The following resources are available to aid in completing the CRF:

Questions

If you have questions, email [email protected] or call (850) 413-3147.

Technical assistance will be available Monday through Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET.

About the OIR

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) has primary responsibility for regulation, compliance, and enforcement of statutes related to the business of insurance and the monitoring of industry markets. For more information about OIR, please visit www.floir.com or follow on X @FLOIR_comm.

FDLE arrests two north Florida men for possessing, transmitting child sex abuse material

Posted on

FDLE arrests two north Florida men for possessing, transmitting child sex abuse material

Arrests made in Suwanee and Bradford counties

 

For Immediate Release

June 19, 2024

LIVE OAK, Fla. – The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) yesterday arrested Benjamin Gerard Smith, 57, of Live Oak, and Donald Howard, 57, of Starke, on felony charges for possessing and transmitting child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Smith and Howard are retired correctional officers. After retiring from his corrections position, Smith was terminated from his job at an elementary school following allegations of inappropriate contact with children.

The Smith investigation began on June 3 when FDLE agents received a National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) cybertip that an account holder was sharing files depicting the sexual of abuse of children.

The investigation identified Smith as the account holder residing in Suwanee County. Agents also located records showing Smith’s account sharing child sexual abuse material with another account holder who agents identified to be Howard residing in Bradford County.

On June 18 agents served separate warrants on Smith and Howard’s residences. The Bradford County Sheriff’s Office assisted in serving Howard’s warrant.  Electronic devices were seized at both locations and preliminary forensic exams of each of the suspects’ devices located multiple files of children being sexually abused.

The investigations are being conducted by the FDLE Live Oak and FDLE Gainesville field offices.

Smith was arrested and booked into the Suwanee County Jail. Howard was arrested and booked into the Bradford County Jail. Additional charges are possible pending further forensic analysis. Smith’s case will be prosecuted by the Office of the State Attorney, Third Judicial Circuit. Howard’s case will be prosecuted by the Office of the State Attorney, Eighth Judicial Circuit.

Please visit the FDLE website to review tips for keeping your children safe online at https://secureflorida.org/Family-Safety/BPParents.htm.

For Further Information Contact:

FDLE Office of Public Information

(850) 410-7001

Florida House Representative Ashley V. Gantt Responds to the Governor’s Budget Vetoes

Posted on

CONTACT

Alexis Roberson

Office of Representative Ashley V. Gantt

[email protected] 

STATEMENT: Florida House Representative Ashley V. Gantt Responds to the Governor’s Budget Vetoes

MIAMI – Representative Ashley V. Gantt (D-Miami) responds to Governor DeSantis’ budget vetoes:

“After reviewing the veto list and digesting the full measure of its impact, it is clear that substantive programs that fund the arts, mental health, and assistance for the opioid epidemic were not valued when it came to the budget being signed by the Governor. Projects that support first responders, such as our police officers and firefighters, were vetoed indiscriminately. What is that a reflection of? It is a reflection of the longstanding lack of leadership we have in the state, from the Governor’s office, in understanding the true needs of everyday people. As a first-time legislator, it has been a sobering experience to learn about the process, to see how the process works, and to see how much regular families are not valued by people who have been elected to serve them. I hope that this veto list and the impact it will have will encourage people to get out and vote, and not just vote, but vote for Democrats, so that we can have an opportunity to create a better Florida for ourselves and for the next generation of Floridians.”

###

Rep. Gallop Franklin: FEMA Tornado Recovery Aid is Available Now

Posted on

CONTACT

Ryan Banfill

District Aide

Office of Rep. Gallop Franklin

[email protected]

850-717-5008

Rep. Gallop Franklin: FEMA Tornado Recovery Aid is Available Now

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – State Representative Gallop Franklin (D-Tallahassee) today announced that President Joe Biden has declared a Major Disaster in North Florida as a result of May 10th severe weather and string of tornadoes that hit the area last month.

Representative Franklin expressed his gratitude to President Biden and his administration for acting to bring badly needed assistance to North Florida residents impacted by May 10th tornadoes.

“I am sincerely thankful to President Biden for answering our community’s call for help. FEMA recovery aid is available now to help people in our area get back on their feet following last month’s severe weather,” said Representative Franklin. “Since May 10th’s devastating tornadoes, many families in our community have been living in severely damaged homes with holes in their roofs. People have had little-to-no money to pay for repairs or to replace food lost when the electricity and have with holes in their roofs. Thankfully, help from FEMA has arrived.”

Representative Franklin said that beginning today, Individual Assistance and Public Assistance Programs are up and running to serve people recovering in our area.

Assistance is available to individuals and households in need of financial and direct services who have uninsured or underinsured necessary expenses and serious needs. Individual Assistance is available in Leon County. Individuals can apply in multiple ways, including:

Through the Public Assistance Grant Program, FEMA provides supplemental federal disaster grant assistance to State, Territorial, Tribal, and Local governments, and certain types of private nonprofit organizations for the repair, replacement or restoration of disaster-damaged, publicly owned facilities. Public Assistance is available in Baker, Gadsden, Hamilton, Lafayette, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Suwannee, Taylor, and Wakulla Counties.

For the latest information on Florida’s recovery from the May 2024 storms, visit FloridaDisaster.org/MayStorm and fema.gov/disaster/4794.

# # #

Florida Division of Emergency Management Successfully Secures Approval of Leon County for FEMA Individual Assistance for 2024 May Storm Damages

Posted on

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 18, 2024

CONTACT: FDEM Communications Team, [email protected] | (850) 815-4940

Florida Division of Emergency Management Successfully Secures Approval of Leon County for FEMA Individual Assistance for 2024 May Storm Damages

~ 10 Florida counties are also eligible for FEMA Public Assistance ~

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, the Florida Division of Emergency Management (Division) announced that the state effort to advocate for federal recovery assistance has been successful; the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved Leon County for Individual Assistance due to the impacts of the May tornadoes and severe weather. Homeowners and renters who sustained losses may now apply for FEMA Individual Assistance, which may include financial help for temporary lodging, basic home repairs, and other disaster-related expenses.

“The Division is committed to ensuring the most assistance possible is available to disaster survivors,” said Division Executive Director Kevin Guthrie. “I encourage homeowners and renters in Leon County to start their FEMA application immediately to ensure they don’t miss any federal assistance deadlines and give themselves ample time to receive all support possible on their road to recovery.”

Leon County is the sole county approved for FEMA Individual Assistance due to impacts from the May severe weather.

Baker, Gadsden, Hamilton, Lafayette, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Suwannee, Taylor and Wakulla counties were all approved for FEMA Public Assistance. Public Assistance provides state, local, tribal and territorial governments and certain private-non-profit organizations assistance for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities that are not privately owned.

To apply for FEMA disaster assistance, visit DisasterAssistance.gov, download the FEMA app for smartphones or call 800-621-3362. Lines are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. local time, seven days a week.

For the latest information on Florida’s recovery from the 2024 May storms, visit FloridaDisaster.org/MayStorm and fema.gov/disaster/4794. For updates, follow the Division on Instagram, Facebook, and X.

###

Florida Democrats Launch Seniors For Biden-Harris in Gadsden County with Postcard Writing Blitz

Posted on

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 18, 2024

Florida Democrats Launch Seniors For Biden-Harris in Gadsden County with Postcard Writing Blitz

Quincy – Yesterday, local senior Democrats, Representative Gallop Franklin, Commissioner Brenda Holt, and first Vice Chair of the Florida Democratic Party Judy Mount held a press conference and postcard writing voter engagement event to mark the launch of Seniors for Biden-Harris in Florida — a national organizing coalition to mobilize key communities around what’s at stake for American seniors in the 2024 election.

More than 50 area seniors attended the kick-off event and rolled up their sleeves to write over one hundred postcards to Florida voters. The speakers highlighted the contrast between the Biden-Harris administration’s work to protect American seniors — including reducing the cost of prescription drugs, capping the price of insulin at $35 for seniors and strengthening Social Security and Medicare — and Donald Trump’s plans to raise costs for seniors.

Trump recently said he’d cut Social Security and Medicare, floated cutting retirement benefits, would repeal President Biden’s caps on the price of prescription drugs, and wants to terminate the ACA, which would raise costs for Florida seniors. In Florida, over 4 million seniors rely on Medicare and Social Security for their health and financial security. Following Trump’s lead, recent state-level Republican initiatives have sought to weaken health care coverage and promote junk insurance plans, further endangering the wellbeing of Floridians.

For pictures of the event click here.

“Joe Biden has a proven record on issues important to seniors, like lowering the cost of health care and prescription drugs, and he continues to work to bring down costs and help ensure older folks can afford to stay in the homes where they built their lives. It’s amazing to see this launch of Seniors for Biden in Gadsden because he gets it — seniors are a powerhouse at the polls, and are crucial to winning Florida,” said Tallahassee area state Representative Gallop Franklin. “The choice before us is as clear as day: We either reelect President Joe Biden, who will fight for Florida’s seniors, or let Donald Trump wreak havoc on the benefits and health care that millions rely on.”

“President Joe Biden is out there battling Big Pharma, lowering health care costs for seniors. And what’s Trump doing? He’s cozying up to his ultra-wealthy buddies, as usual. In Trump’s America, corporations win while seniors and their families lose. His plans would leave millions of seniors with fewer benefits and higher barriers to the care they need. We can’t let that happen. As a Black woman, I have serious concerns about what another Trump term means for me, my community, and our seniors,” added Gadsden County Commissioner Brenda Holt.

“This year, we have the choice: President Biden, who has proven he’s willing to fight for us, and delivers results, or Donald Trump, the dangerous, reckless man who wants to attack the programs seniors depend on to survive. Florida seniors could lose what they’ve fought their whole lives to build, and we simply cannot let that happen. We cannot afford another term for Donald Trump,” said Judy Mount, first vice chair of the Florida Democratic Party.

###

Paid for by Biden for President

PSC Approves Final Storm Restoration Recovery Costs for FPL

Posted on

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Tuesday, June 18, 2024

MEDIA CONTACT: (850) 413-6482

PSC Approves Final Storm Restoration Recovery Costs for FPL

 

TALLAHASSEE —The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) today approved $1.3 million in final storm restoration recovery costs related to Hurricanes Ian and Nicole for Florida Power & Light Company (FPL).

FPL and the Office of Public Counsel, representing customers, agreed that the requested $1.3 million in storm restoration recovery costs is supported by the case record, and all issues in the case were stipulated. The only remaining party—Walmart, Inc.—took no position on the stipulations.

After the PSC reduced FPL’s interim storm restoration recovery costs in November 2023, the utility’s residential customer bills for 1,000 kWh usage reflected a $6.65 storm recovery charge for three months, from January-March 2024.

This final PSC-approved recovery amount will be compared to actual revenues collected from FPL’s storm recovery charge. Any over- or under-recovery will be handled through the non-fuel energy charge on customer bills for a one-month period.

For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.

Follow the PSC on X and LinkedIn.

Subscribe to the Commission’s YouTube channel for Consumer Tips and PSAs.

 

##