Florida National Organization for Women Endorses Debbie Mucarsel-Powell for U.S. Senate
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AG Moody’s Statewide Prosecutors Secure 40-Year Prison Sentences for Members of Romanian Crime Ring that Stole More Than $800,000 from Schools and Churches
For Immediate Release
August 22, 2024
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.— Following a Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) investigation, Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Office of Statewide Prosecution (OSP) secured 40-year prison sentences for three members of a Romanian crime ring that stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from schools and churches. A Fort Myers jury found Panait Dumitru, Catalin Trandafir and Simona Trandafir guilty of racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering, grand theft, money laundering, aggravated white-collar crime, and unlawful possession of personal identification information. According to the FDLE investigation, the crime ring stole more than $800,000 in checks from school and church mailboxes in six states.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “Florida is a law-and-order state, and we work hard to hold criminals accountable. This Romanian crime ring stole more than $800,000 by taking checks from the mailboxes of more than 250 churches and schools in six states. Many of the donor victims were seniors. Thanks to the hard work of our law enforcement partners and our Statewide Prosecutors, we have stopped this illicit operation, and three group members will now serve serious time behind bars.”
FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass said, “This case showcases FDLE’s best work from detailed analysis, to serving search warrants, and working across regions. It also demonstrates the importance we play in court, breaking down complex facts so juries can easily understand the case.”
According to the investigation, Panait Dumitru, Catalin Trandafir and Simona Trandafir, along with other group members, Marius Dumitru (1987), Marius Dumitru (1993) and Ionut Raducan, stole checks from the mailboxes of more than 250 churches and schools throughout Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina and South Carolina. When some of the churches installed mailboxes with locks, the defendants returned with crowbars to break into the mailboxes.
The group operated out of Orlando from 2019 to 2021. During the three-week trial, more than 60 pastors, reverends, ministers and priests testified to the thefts from their congregations.
The defendants deposited the stolen checks through a network of 59 bank accounts opened by various members of the ring using forged documents. The defendants then withdrew the cash from some of these banks and redeposited the cash in other accounts. The criminal ring funneled more than 1,600 checks totaling more than $800,000 through the accounts.
Attorney General Moody’s OSP charged Panait Dumitru, Catalin Trandafir and Simona Trandafir with conspiracy to commit racketeering, racketeering, grand theft, unlawful possession of personal identification information, money laundering and aggravated white-collar crime.
Two other defendants, Dumitru (1987) and Dumitru (1993), have fled. Raducan previously pled open to the court and was sentenced to 10 years in Florida state prison.
Attorney General Moody’s OSP handled the case. The Honorable Judge Bruce Kyle sentenced each of the defendants to 40 years in state prison.
For Further Information Contact:
FDLE Office of Public Information
(850) 410-7001
Florida PSC to Begin TECO Rate Case Hearing on Monday
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, August 22, 2024
MEDIA CONTACT: (850) 413-6482
TALLAHASSEE —The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) will begin a hearing on Monday, August 26, to consider Tampa Electric Company’s (TECO) petition for a rate increase.
As part of the ratemaking process, the Commission conducted two virtual and one in-person service hearings in June to allow feedback from customers about TECO’s quality of service and rate increase request. TECO serves approximately 844,000 customers in Hillsborough and portions of Polk, Pasco, and Pinellas Counties.
The hearing is scheduled to begin at the following time and location:
Monday, August 26, 2024
1:00 p.m.
Betty Easley Conference Center
Joseph P. Cresse Hearing Room (Room 148)
4075 Esplanade Way
Tallahassee, Florida
August 27–30 are reserved to continue the hearing. The starting time of the next day’s session will be announced at the conclusion of the prior day’s hearing.
A live broadcast of the hearing will be available on the PSC’s website (click “Watch Live and Archived PSC Events” on our homepage) and may be broadcast on the Florida Channel (check your local listing).
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.
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Fla.’s Housing Market: New Listings Up, Prices Easing in July
ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 22, 2024 – Florida’s housing market reported easing median sales prices, more new listings and improved inventory levels (active listings) in July 2024 compared to a year ago, according to Florida Realtors®’ latest housing data.
“For-sale inventory continued to improve in July, which is helping to moderate prices – and hopefully will also ease housing affordability issues over time,” said 2024 Florida Realtors® President Gia Arvin, broker-owner with Matchmaker Realty in Gainesville. “Mortgage interest rates also seem to be trending down off the near 7% highs, which boosts potential homebuyers’ purchase power and helps spark demand.”
Closed sales of existing single-family homes statewide totaled 23,353, up 5.2% year-over-year, while existing condo-townhouse sales totaled 8,364, down 1.2% over July 2023, according to data from Florida Realtors Research Department in partnership with local Realtor boards/associations. Closed sales may occur from 30- to 90-plus days after sales contracts are written.
Florida Realtors Chief Economist Dr. Brad O’Connor pointed out that, at the end of June, there was a sizeable amount of pending inventory, especially in the single-family home category, which could indicate that closed sales of existing single-family homes would rebound this month.
“And yes, that’s what happened,” he said. “The increase wasn’t enough to offset the decline in single-family closed sales in June, but it was still positive. And, while we came up a little bit short in the townhouse and condo category, July’s 1.2% year-over-year decline in closed sales there is far more preferable that what we saw the previous month.
The statewide median sales price for single-family existing homes in July was $416,990, basically the same (up 0.5%) as a year ago, while the statewide median price for condo-townhouse units was $315,000, down 1.3% from July 2023. The median is the midpoint; half the homes sold for more, half for less.
O’Connor pointed out, “Over on the supply side of things, new listings of single-family homes remained in line with what we would have expected in the pre-pandemic market, but there were 10.7% more new listings this July compared to last year’s unusually low count. Meanwhile, 13.8% more townhouses and condos came onto the market in July compared to a year ago.
“The inventory of single-family homes continues to rise, but over the last three months, this growth has slowed as each month has passed. I’d caution, however, that this slowdown may be in part just a seasonal effect. Townhouse and condo inventory levels are now above where they were during the 2014 to 2019 pre-pandemic, post-Great Recession period. However, month-over-month inventory growth has flattened out over the past two to three months.”
On the supply side of the market, single-family existing homes were at a 4.6-months’ supply in July 2024, while condo-townhouse properties were at a 7.4-months’ supply.
To see the full statewide housing activity reports, go to the Florida Realtors Newsroom and look under Latest Releases or download the July 2024 data report PDFs under Market Data.
Florida Realtors® serves as the voice for real estate in Florida. It provides programs, services, continuing education, research and legislative representation to 238,000 members in 51 boards/associations. Florida Realtors® Newsroom website is available at http://floridarealtors.org/newsroom.
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Commissioner Wilton Simpson Announces Approval of First Loan for Hurricane Debby Impacted Florida Farmers
~ First loan approval comes just 15 days after Hurricane Debby made landfall in Florida ~
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced the approval of the first Hurricane Debby recovery loan through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Agriculture and Aquaculture Producers Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program. Commissioner Simpson announced the launch of the application process on August 9, 2024, to help eligible Florida farmers, ranchers, and growers rebuild and recover from Hurricane Debby. This loan approval comes just 15 days after Hurricane Debby made landfall in Florida.
“Time is of the essence when it comes to helping our farmers, ranchers, and growers recover and rebuild from natural disasters like Hurricane Debby. While federal relief can take months, or even years, Florida is stepping up to provide immediate financial support,” said Commissioner Wilton Simpson. “The Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program is designed to help get our producers back on their feet quickly, ensuring that Florida agriculture remains resilient and that our food supply chain stays strong.”
Impacted producers are encouraged to take photos of any property damage sustained from Hurricane Debby and to save all receipts for recovery efforts and supplies. Specific details on the application process are available on the program’s webpage.
Agriculture and Aquaculture Producers Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program
- Low-interest or interest-free loans up to $500,000 for eligible agriculture and aquaculture producers that have experienced damage or destruction from Hurricane Debby.
- Loans may be used to restore, repair, or replace essential physical property, including fences, equipment, greenhouses, and other buildings, or to remove vegetative debris.
- Interested producers can learn more or apply here.
Producers that were previously awarded funds for damages sustained from Hurricane Idalia are eligible to apply for damage sustained from this disaster. The program is still accepting applications from producers impacted by Hurricane Idalia until August 29, 2024.
During a special legislative session in November of 2023, the Florida Legislature passed House Bill 1-C, which provided $75 million to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for a revolving loan fund to support impacted agriculture and aquaculture producers recover from natural disasters.
For more information about Commissioner Simpson and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FDACS.gov.
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DATA CALL NOTICE: Hurricane Debby 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.
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Reporting Deadlines for Hurricane Debby
OIR is requiring simplified catastrophe reporting for Hurricane Debby beginning Friday, August 23. Reporting deadlines for Hurricane Debby:
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Friday, August 23, 2024
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Friday, August 30, 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.
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Required Filers
All insurers currently authorized to write the following lines of business in Florida are required to report Hurricane Debby 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.
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How to File the CRF
Insurers are to report Hurricane Debby 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.
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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.
Upcoming Public Meeting for S.R. A1A Safety Improvements
For Immediate Release August 20, 2024 |
Contact: Public Information Office |
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will hold a public meeting regarding project plans on State Road (S.R.) A1A from south of Hayes Avenue/Lunar Avenue to north of Johnson Avenue/Cocoa Palms Drive and from Taylor Avenue to Tyler Avenue on Wednesday, August 28, at 5:30 p.m. The purpose of this project is to enhance pedestrian safety along S.R. A1A by constructing raised concrete medians as pedestrian refuge islands and installing pedestrian warning signs with flashing beacons.
The Department is offering multiple ways for the community to participate in the meeting. All participants, regardless of platform they choose, will participate in the same live meeting.
FDOT encourages community involvement and is offering this public meeting in a hybrid format to provide more ways to participate. All attendees, regardless of which platform they choose, will receive the same information.
In-Person Open House Option: Participants may attend in person by going to Cape Canaveral Community Center, 7920 Orange Avenue, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920 anytime between 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. to view a looping presentation and project displays, speak with project team members, and submit comments or questions. If attending in person, please remember to follow all safety and sanitation guidelines. If you are feeling unwell, please consider attending the meeting virtually.
Virtual Option: Interested persons may join over the Internet from a computer, tablet or mobile device at 5:30 p.m. For this option, advance registration is required by visiting fdot.cc/SR_A1A_Safety_Improvements. Once registered, participants will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting online. If using a mobile device, use the GoToWebinar app to be able to view the presentation and submit comments. If joining online, please allow adequate time to log in to view the presentation in its entirety.
Those who cannot attend the meeting may view all meeting materials, including the presentation, and provide comment through the project website at www.cflroads.com/project/992400-3. You may also contact FDOT Project Manager Richard Smith directly at (386) 943-5326 or [email protected] to receive project documents.
Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, or family status. Persons wishing to express their concerns relative to FDOT compliance with Title VI may do so by contacting Melissa McKinney, FDOT District Five Title VI Coordinator, at [email protected].
Persons who require accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or persons who require translation services (free of charge) should contact Richard Smith at (386) 943-5326 or [email protected] at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact us by using the Florida Relay Service, 1-800-955-8771 (TDD) or 1-800-955-8770 (Voice).
Media inquiries should be directed to the FDOT District Five Public Information Office at [email protected] or by phone at (386) 943-5593.
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Senator Lori Berman Calls Out the Rejection of Federal Money to Feed Needy Children
Boynton Beach, Fla. – For the second straight year, Governor DeSantis has refused to apply for $250 million in Federal “SUN Bucks,” which would provide food over the summer for children who typically receive free or reduced lunch. State Senator Lori Berman (D-Boynton Beach) is disappointed and frustrated by the decision to not apply for funds, which all but 13 states are accessing.
SUN Bucks, or Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (SEBT), provide grocery-buying benefits to income-eligible families when schools are closed for the summer. SUN Bucks benefits come in the form of a pre-loaded card with a one-time $120 benefit for the summer that families can use to purchase groceries.
While 2.1 million Floridian children would have benefitted from the program, officials for Florida’s Department of Children and Families say existing programs are enough — and argue that the federal program came with “strings attached” in the form of operational costs that would be shared with the state. The cost would amount to around $12 million, only 4.8% of the amount the state would be set to receive.
“I cannot understand why our state would choose to leave so much money on the table while families are having trouble putting food on theirs,” Sen. Berman said. “Governor DeSantis spends so much time complaining about the price of food and how hard it is to raise a family, but when faced with a real opportunity to help struggling families in our state, he decides to play politics and turn down the help. This decision shows the governor is out of touch and mean spirited.”
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Traffic Advisory: Sand Lake Road Scheduled for Overnight Closures August 19-22, 25-29 and September 3, 9-10
For Immediate Release August 16, 2024 |
Contact: Public Information Office |
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Motorists should be advised that the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is implementing nightly closures of Sand Lake Road (State Road (S.R.) 482) under Interstate 4 (I-4) August 19-22 and August 25-29, as well as September 3 and September 9-10. The closures will begin as early as 11 p.m. each night and are expected to reopen by 6 a.m.
The closures are necessary for crews to set beams on new bridge structures in the area as part of the improvements to the I-4 and Sand Lake Road interchange. The beams, weighing 72 to 75 tons, will be delivered to the ramp and then set in place via multiple cranes.
During the closure, motorists traveling eastbound on Sand Lake Road west of I-4 will turn right on Turkey Lake Road and proceed south to Central Florida Parkway, where they will turn left again. From eastbound Central Florida Parkway, drivers can turn left to northbound Westwood Boulevard, proceeding to International Drive, where they will again turn left to head north. Once headed north on International Drive, motorists have the option to take westbound S.R. 528 to I-4 in either direction or continue north to return to Sand Lake Road.
Motorists traveling westbound on Sand Lake Road east of I-4 will turn right on northbound International Drive and proceed to Universal Boulevard, where they will turn left and head north. From northbound Universal Boulevard, motorists can access eastbound I-4. From there:
• Motorists can turn left on Hollywood Way and left again on southbound Turkey Lake Road to return to Sand Lake Road.
• Drivers who wish to access westbound I-4 should continue north on Universal Boulevard to Major Boulevard, turn right and then take another right to southbound Kirkman Road and proceed to the ramp.
See attached detour map.
FDOT advises motorists to follow all posted signs. Construction schedules are subject to change due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
Please continue to use caution while driving through active construction zones. Remember to always be alert while riding or driving.
For more information on the planned improvements on I-4 in Orange County, visit the project website at i4Beyond.com/sandlake.
Media inquiries should be directed to the FDOT Public Information Office at [email protected] or by phone at (386) 943-5593.
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