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Attorney General Bondi Takes on Charity Exploiting Families of Fallen Firefighters and Breast Cancer Patients

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Pam Bondi today filed a complaint seeking to shut down a Florida charity falsely claiming to use charitable donations to provide financial support to families of firefighters lost in the line of duty. Community Charity Advancement, Inc. also allegedly falsely claims to use donations to provide assistance to breast cancer research organizations and breast cancer patients, but in some instances uses donations for different purposes.  According to the complaint, CCAI’s deceptive acts and practices mislead generous donors into contributing to CCAI instead of the many legitimate charitable organizations operating bona fide programs that support breast cancer research, breast cancer and fire victims, as well as firefighters.

“It is absolutely abhorrent to exploit families of fallen firefighters and breast cancer patients to steal from generous Floridians. Charity scams prey on people’s goodwill and discourage people from giving. Furthermore, every dollar given to a deceptive charity is a dollar that does not go to those in need. This is an outrageous ploy and those responsible will be held accountable,” said Attorney General Bondi.

The complaint also alleges that CCAI falsely represents having a partnership with bona fide cancer research and support organizations to deceptively lend legitimacy to the company’s activities. Some of these organizations who are not in partnership with CCAI, despite the company’s claims, include the University of Florida, Johns Hopkins and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

During the past four years, CCAI reported raising more than $40 million in donations through the fundraising efforts of various fictitious names. In 2014, CCAI reported raising more than $10 million in donations, which CCAI provided just $49,000, or half of one penny, in cash contributions to breast cancer research organizations. In that same year, CCAI diverted half a million dollars in donations meant to support breast cancer research or assist patients to pay fundraisers and other vendors for services connected to its firefighter-related activities. Despite CCAI’s representations, CCAI made no financial donations during the past three years to support families of firefighters who passed away in the line of duty.

The complaint alleges violations of the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act. 

The following individuals and entities are named as defendants in the lawsuit: Community Charity Advancement, Inc., doing business as Breast Cancer Research and Support Fund, U.S. Volunteer Firefighters Association, United States Firefighter Association, United States Firefighters Association and US Volunteer Firefighters Association; Francis Ferrer; Lindsey Novinich; Carole Reich; Bruce Rinney; Kerry Sharon and John Thomas.

Consumers who donated to CCAI can file a complaint with Attorney General Bondi’s Office by clicking here.

To view the complaint, click here.

The Circuit Court of the17th Judicial Circuit in Broward County will hear this case.

Eight Additional Florida Schools Awarded HealthierUS School Challenge Designation

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla.–Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam today announced that eight more Florida schools have earned HealthierUS School Challenge designations. Since the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services assumed responsibility of the state’s school nutrition programs in 2012, the number of certified HUSSC schools has increased from 27 to 384.

The HealthierUS School Challenge, a joint effort with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the United States Department of Agriculture, is a voluntary certification initiative that recognizes schools that meet specific criteria to improve food and beverage options, offer nutrition education and promote physical activity.

“I applaud these schools for going above and beyond to grow healthy habits that help students reach academic success,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam.

The following schools were recently awarded HUSSC designation:

Lake County School District

  • Triangle Elementary School (Gold)

Leon County School District

  • Woodville Elementary School (Silver)

School District of Manatee County

  • Ballard Elementary School (Bronze)
  • Kinnan Elementary School (Silver)

Sumter County School District

  • Bushnell Elementary School (Bronze)
  • Lake Panasoffke Elementary School (Bronze)
  • Webster Elementary School (Bronze)
  • Wildwood Elementary School (Bronze)

Schools can apply for four different levels of designation that last for four years: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Gold Award of Distinction. In addition to an award plaque and display banner, designated schools receive the following monetary awards: $500 for Bronze designation; $1,000 for Silver designation; $1,500 for Gold designation; and $2,000 for Gold Awards of Distinction. 

For more information about the HealthierUS School Challenge initiative and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FreshFromFlorida.com.

FWC endorses national strategy aimed at conserving fish, wildlife

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The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) in July endorsed an ambitious national strategy, presented by The Blue Ribbon Panel on Sustaining America’s Diverse Fish and Wildlife Resources, to conserve fish and wildlife, keep thousands of U.S. species from becoming endangered, and leave a legacy of healthy wildlife populations for future generations.

The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, introduced on Dec. 14 by U.S. Reps. Jeff Fortenberry, R-NE, and Debbie Dingell, D-MI, would implement recommendations from the Blue Ribbon Panel, a coalition of business, energy and conservation leaders assembled by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. The Blue Ribbon Panel emphasized both the environmental and economic benefits of creating a long-term dedicated funding source to conserve the nation’s fish and wildlife.

“Currently there are major gaps in funding to sustain fish and wildlife species and keep them off the emergency list of endangered species,” said FWC Chairman Bo Rivard. “These species are important to our nation’s heritage and at the heart of how people connect to nature throughactivities such as boating, bird-watching, camping, fishing, hiking and biking.”

The Blue Ribbon Panel recommended dedicating $1.3 billion annually in existing revenue from the development of energy and mineral resources on federal lands and waters to provide funding to state fish and wildlife agencies to more fully implement well-established and widely supported state wildlife action plans. Under the act, Florida potentially could receive about $50 million a year to conserve and protect Florida’s most vulnerable species and their habitats through Florida’s Wildlife Legacy Initiative and State Wildlife Action Plan.

“For decades, wildlife conservation in the U.S. has largely depended on the unique and highly successful system where hunters and anglers willingly provide most of the funding for wildlife conservation work,” said FWC Executive Director Eric Sutton. “But we need to do more, and the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act would provide a sustainable, solution-based answer to funding conservation of fish and wildlife species.”

The FWC resolution requests support from Florida’s Congressional Delegation for the legislation implementing the Blue Ribbon Panel’s recommendations. The resolution also calls for support from Florida’s conservation community and other state fish and wildlife agencies.

The Alliance for America’s Fish & Wildlife (alliance), a coalition of the partners supporting this initiative, is using the theme “Our Nature. Our Nation. Our Future.” to summarize the seriousness of what is at stake. The alliance is actively working to inform the public about the importance of securing the fish and wildlife conservation funding proposed in the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act. According to the alliance, the act’s benefits include:

  • Funding conservation of over 12,000 species of fish and wildlife and their habitats across the U.S.
  • Supporting the outdoor recreational economy, which generates 7.6 million U.S. jobs and over $124 billion in tax revenue. In Florida, the combined economic impact of fishing, wildlife viewing, boating, hunting and the seafood industry is about $42.8 billion and over 347,000 jobs.
  • Helping families get back to nature and away from cellphones and computer screens. Children now spend an average of 50 hours a week on their electronic devices.

The FWC’s Florida’s Wildlife Legacy Initiative, which develops Florida’s State Wildlife Action Plan,is the well-established, state-based framework for implementing the Restoring America’s Wildlife Act in Florida and delivering on the commitment to conserve and restore Florida’s fish and wildlife resources.

For additional information, go to OurNatureUSA.com.

UWF Fall 2017 Commencement celebrates 50th Anniversary, honors Marny Gilluly, Fred Levin

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Pensacola, Fla. – The University of West Florida hosted its Fall 2017 Commencement at the Pensacola Bay Center. Addressing 1,636 graduates, UWF President Martha Saunders noted the significance of the students’ achievements for their individual career pursuits, as well as what these accomplishments mean to the University in its 50th year.
“Saturday’s ceremonies capped a historic year for the University of West Florida,” Saunders said. “We celebrated our past with some of our first graduates and our future with the students who received degrees.”
UWF Golden Graduates, members of UWF’s charter classes, were invited to attend Saturday’s ceremonies to help honor the occasion which included the recognition of two community partners through the conferring of two prestigious academic awards.
Fredric G. “Fred” Levin was recognized for his remarkable personal and professional achievements, as well as his service to UWF, the Pensacola community and the state of Florida. Levin, one of the most successful trial attorneys in the U.S. and a partner in the Levin Papantonio law firm for more than 50 years, was named an Honorary Doctor of Laws. The honorary doctorate recognizes distinguished performance and is regarded as the highest form of recognition a university can bestow.
Levin is best known for helping to rewrite the Florida Medicaid Third Party Recovery Act in 1993 to permit the state of Florida to sue the tobacco industry to recover expenditures for treating illnesses caused by cigarette smoking. The legislation eventually resulted in a $13 billion settlement for the state of Florida.
A member of the Inner Circle of Advocates, an organization limited to 100 lawyers throughout the country, Levin has been listed in every edition of the publication, “Best Lawyers in America.” He received the Perry Nichols Award in 1994, the highest honor bestowed by the Florida Academy of Trial Lawyers, given in recognition for a person’s lifetime achievements in the pursuit of justice. In 1999, he was honored at the United Nations by being made a Chief in the Republic of Ghana for his dedication to equal justice for people of all races. Levin is also a published author and manager of many champion boxers.
Levin has also made multiple donations to the University of West Florida. More than 20 years ago, he created the first endowed professorship at the University of West Florida in honor of his father, Abe Levin. Levin’s tremendous professional success has enabled him to enhance the University through a long-standing history of giving, including contributions to UWF football and the establishment of the Reubin O’D. Askew Institute for Multidisciplinary Studies, in memory of Florida’s 37th governor and Levin’s former law partner.
Saunders bestowed upon Martha A. “Marny” Gilluly, a 1971 UWF cum laude graduate, the UWF Founder’s Medallion. This award symbolizes excellent character that represents the UWF values, extraordinary achievement or distinction in one of several fields and a history of support for the University.
From 1998 to 2011, Gilluly served on the UWF Foundation Board of Directors. Former Gov. Jeb Bush appointed her as a UWF Trustee in 2003, and she served in that capacity until 2011. She is a current member of the UWF Heritage Club and Chambered Nautilus Society, and a former member of the Charter Society of 1963 and Nautilus Society. In 2007, the UWF Alumni Association awarded Gilluly the distinguished Alumni Chambered Nautilus Award of Merit. In 2011, the UWF Foundation Board elected her, as a past UWF Foundation Chair, to be a lifetime Foundation Fellow.
Gilluly, who retired as a computer specialist for the U.S. House of Representatives, serves as vice grand chancellor of the Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem, an international relief organization based in Madrid, Spain. She has competed in 15 marathons and is a licensed pilot, flying multi-engine and acrobatic airplanes.
For more information, visit uwf.edu/commencement.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT… USA Today: “Florida tops in nation on infrastructure”

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Florida tops in nation on infrastructure

A new report suggests Florida takes care of its infrastructure better than any other state.

The analysis by 24/7 Wall St, a financial reporting firm, puts the Sunshine State at the top of the heap based on its review of federal records on the conditions of roads, bridges, dams. It also looked at how much each state prioritizes highway spending.

Here’s what the report, dubbed “States That Are Falling apart,” concluded about Florida:

— 3.2% of the state’s roads are in poor condition (3rd best in the U.S.)

— 2.1% of its bridges are rated as deficient (also 3rd best)

— 6.3% of the state’s dams are considered at “high hazard risk” (9th best overall)

— 8.7% of Florida’s total government spending is spent on highways (only seven states spent more as a percentage).

Several grouper closures start Jan. 1 in Gulf and Atlantic waters

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Gag grouper will close to recreational harvest in Gulf state and federal waters Jan. 1, 2018. The same day, several species of grouper will also close to recreational and commercial harvest in Florida state waters of the Atlantic and all state waters off Monroe County. This seasonal closure includes gag, black, red, yellowmouth, and yellowfin grouper; scamp; red hind; rock hind; coney; and graysby.
State waters in the Atlantic are from shore out to 3 nautical miles. State waters off Monroe County extend to 3 nautical miles in the Atlantic and out to 9 nautical miles in the Gulf. Federal waters begin where state waters end and extend to 200 nautical miles.
For gag grouper, state waters off Franklin, Wakulla, Taylor and Jefferson counties will reopen to harvest April 1 through June 30 and Sept. 1 through Dec. 31. All other Gulf state waters (except waters off Monroe County, which follows the Atlantic state season) and all Gulf federal waters will reopen June 1 through Dec. 31.
Several species of grouper, including gag, will remain closed in Atlantic state waters and off Monroe County through April 30, reopening May 1. The harvest closure was established to ensure the long-term sustainability of Atlantic grouper species by protecting them during their spawning season. A similar closure will also occur in federal waters of the Atlantic.
Grouper information, including Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico grouper regulations, is available online. Go to MyFWC.com/Fishing and select “Saltwater Fishing” then “Recreational Regulations” and “Groupers.”

Rep. Rutherford: VA Fails Veterans by Hiring Dangerous Doctors

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following a recent investigation from USA Today on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hiring and retaining medical providers who are unfit or not legally authorize to serve, Congressman Rutherford led a bipartisan congressional letter to Secretary Shulkin requesting information on how the Department oversees and hires its health professionals.  Current law prohibits the VA from hiring providers who have had their license revoked in any state to ensure quality care for veterans, yet reports show professional standards boards clearing the hiring doctors with histories of malpractice and sexual misconduct.

The USA Today article includes the following excerpt: “Neurosurgeon John Henry Schneider racked up more than a dozen malpractice claims and settlements in two states, including cases alleging he made surgical mistakes that left patients maimed, paralyzed or dead. He was accused of costing one patient bladder and bowel control after placing spinal screws incorrectly, he allegedly left another paralyzed from the waist down after placing a device improperly in his spinal canal. The state of Wyoming revoked his medical license after another surgical patient died. Schneider then applied for a job earlier this year at the Department of Veterans Affairs hospital in Iowa City, Iowa. He was forthright in his application about the license revocation and other malpractice troubles. But the VA hired him anyway.”

Further, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) published a report this month showing that the VA failed to report 90 percent of problematic providers to their national database designed to prevent doctors found guilty of malpractice from crossing state lines.  

Congressman John Rutherford said, “I am appalled that the VA has hired felons, sexual predators, and medical providers with revoked licensures. Not only does this malfeasance put our veterans in serious medical danger, but this astonishing mismanagement of the vetting process subjects veterans to pain and harm that is completely unacceptable. While I recognize that the VA is taking action to remove these unfit providers from the system, they must do more to prevent this illegal activity from ever occurring again. Most VA employees share our commitment to ensuring our nation’s veterans receive the highest quality care possible, and we must work with them to remove all bad actors so the VA can fulfill its critically important mission of faithfully serving our nation’s heroes.”

 Rutherford is one of 30 signatories on the bipartisan letter including, Jack Bergman, Mark Meadows, Barbara Comstock, Madeleine Bordallo, Walter Jones, Ralph Norman, Ann McLane Kuster, Doug Collins, Tom O’Halleran, Beto O’Rourke, Mimi Walters, Mike Bost, Mike Johnson, Darrell Issa, Thomas Rooney, Jim Banks, Doug LaMalfa, Kevin Yoder, David Valadao, Roger Marshall, Ted Yoho, Andy Biggs, Neal Dunn, Steve King, Daniel Donovan, Jr., Charlie Crist, Peter DeFazio, Steve Pearce Ron DeSantis. The full text of the letter can be found below: 

December 18, 2017

 

The Honorable David J. Shulkin, M.D.

Secretary

U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs

810 Vermont Avenue, NW

Washington, D.C. 20420

 

Dear Secretary Shulkin:

We write today to express extreme concern regarding recent reports that the VA has hired medical providers, including surgeons, who have histories of malpractice and disciplinary actions taken against them.  These reports include the hiring of providers who have previously lost their medical licenses, providers who have a history of sexual misconduct, and providers who have a record of disciplinary actions that would preclude them from employment in the private sector.

We recognize and share your commitment to ensuring that our nation’s veterans receive the highest quality care from the best providers possible.  Therefore, recent reports of these bad hires, along with the recent Government Accountability Office report that found VA failed to conduct appropriate reviews and report doctors who received adverse privileging actions to state medical boards and other databases, are of great concern to us as we conduct oversight of the Department.

The hiring of doctors who have had their medical licenses revoked in any state is already prohibited, and clinical hires must be cleared through professional standards boards.  However, it appears the laws and regulations establishing that prohibition are not being followed by VA medical facilities.

As you are aware, the President signed the Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act into law in June.  This was a result of Congress’s and the American people’s outrage at the lack of appropriate disciplinary action within the VA.  We are encouraged by your exercise of these new authorities; however, these recent reports lead us to question if further action by Congress may be necessary.

In order to help us learn more about the VA’s response to these reports, we request the following:

·         Actions taken to terminate the employment of those listed in recent reports who should not have been hired by the VA;

·         Actions taken to discipline the professional standards boards who cleared the hiring of those providers with histories of misconduct and malpractice;

·         Any Department-wide guidance on how medical facilities review and conduct their hiring processes to prevent current hiring laws from being broken;

·         Actions taken to identify other current providers within the VA who have had disciplinary actions taken against them.

We thank you in advance for your prompt response to our concerns. We appreciate your dedication to our veterans and look forward to working together to ensure they receive the highest quality medical care available.  Please contact us with any further questions.

$46,000 FANTASY 5® TICKET SET TO EXPIRE

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TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Lottery today announced that a FANTASY 5® top prize-winning ticket worth $46,151.01 remains unclaimed. The 180-day deadline to claim the top prize is Saturday, December 23, 2017, at midnight ET.

The winning FANTASY 5 numbers for the June 26, 2017, drawing were: 

                                              07 – 16 – 23 – 26 – 33           

The winning Quick Pick ticket was sold at Suarez Liquors, located at 799 West 29th Street in Hialeah. Players who may have purchased a FANTASY 5 ticket at this retail location are encouraged to check their tickets from the June 26, drawing. 

While any Florida Lottery retailer can validate the winning ticket, the FANTASY 5 top prize must be claimed at a Florida Lottery District Office or at Florida Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee. Players can obtain additional information by calling the Lottery’s Customer Service Department at (850) 487-7787 or visiting the Florida Lottery’s website at www.flalottery.com.

    FANTASY 5 is a pari-mutuel game in which players win the top prize by matching 5-of-5 winning numbers drawn in any order. Additionally, players win cash prizes or a free Quick Pick ticket by matching two, three or four of the numbers drawn in the official drawing for the date played. If there is no top prize winner, the money in the top prize pool rolls down and is shared among players who match 4-of-5 or 3-of-5 winning numbers.

Since the game’s inception, more than 798 million FANTASY 5 winners have won more than $4.3 billion in prizes. Of these, more than 51,000 players have won top prizes totaling more than $2.4 billion.

ABOUT THE FLORIDA LOTTERY

The Florida Lottery is responsible for contributing more than $32 billion to education and sending more than 775,000 students to college through the Bright Futures Scholarship Program. The Florida Lottery reinvests 98 percent of its revenue back into Florida’s economy through prize payouts, commissions to more than 13,000 Florida retailers and contributions to education. Since 1988, Florida Lottery games have paid more than $56.3 billion in prizes and made more than 2,000 people millionaires. For more information, please visit www.flalottery.com.

OneJax Announces 2018 Humanitarian Award Honorees

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OneJax, an institute of the University of North Florida, has announced the recipients of its 2018 Humanitarian Awards. The honorees will be recognized at the Humanitarian Awards Dinner 7 p.m. Thursday, April 12, at the Prime Osborn Convention Center, located at 1000 Water St., downtown Jacksonville. A 6 p.m. reception will take place prior to the event. 

The OneJax Humanitarian Awards honor those who have demonstrated the highest level of personal and professional integrity, have given generously and extensively to our community and have been dedicated to the improvement of human relations among diverse groups in our community. 

“This is a particularly strong group and among the most deserving in our community to be recognized for their contributions,” said Nancy Broner, OneJax executive director. “The honorees represent a cross-section of people doing meaningful work in our city, and they make an important difference in the lives of so many in Northeast Florida. Their impact is immeasurable.” 

The 2018 awards honorees are as follows:

·         2018 Gold Medallion for Lifetime Achievement: John A. Delaney, UNF president. This award recognizes those who have had an extraordinary impact on and have given back generously to their communities over their lifetime through exceptional commitment to the OneJax mission of promoting the dignity and respect of all people.

·         2018 Silver Medallions: Barbara Drake, retired business executive and community volunteer; Lawrence ‘Laurie’ DuBow, philanthropist; Sherry Magill, Jessie Ball DuPont Fund president; and Darnell Smith, Florida Blue market president, North Florida region. This award is given to individuals in recognition of their outstanding dedication and community service.

“OneJax has been doing important work for a long time in our community,” said Jan Lipsky, OneJax board chair. “This year’s honorees reflect our efforts to educate, advocate and build community to promote the respect and understanding that will overcome bias, bigotry and oppression. They embody the spirit of this commitment.”

The title sponsors for the event are Baptist Health and Florida Blue. Sponsorships for the Humanitarian Awards Dinner may be obtained by contacting OneJax at (904) 620-1529 or [email protected]. Tickets for the event are available online at http://tiny.cc/wzp8hy. 

Since 2012, OneJax has been an institute at UNF. Through education, community building and advocacy, OneJax works to make Northeast Florida a better place for everyone by celebrating differences and identifying all we have in common.

UNF, a nationally ranked university located on an environmentally beautiful campus, offers students who are dedicated to enriching the lives of others the opportunity to build their own futures through a well-rounded education.

UF a top performer nationally for Latino graduation rates

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The University of Florida is a top-performing institution nationwide for graduation rates for Latino students, according to a new report from The Education Trust.

The report, released Thursday, shows UF ranks among the top-10 best schools and has the highest graduation rate for Latino students among the top 10 at 87.3 percent, compared with an 88.2 percent graduation rate for white students for a 0.8 percent graduation gap.

The graduation rate is a three-year weighted average for 2013, 2014 and 2015.

Overall, the report found, the past decade has seen tremendous growth in Latino student enrollment and completion, but only 53.6 percent of Latino students who start college as first-time, full-time freshmen earn a bachelor’s degree within six years — a rate that is nearly 10 percentage points below that of their white peers.

Five of the top 10 schools are in California. The sample of 613 institutions includes 344 public institutions and 269 nonprofit private institutions.

The University of South Florida also made the top-performers list. Its graduation rate for Latino students – 66.2 percent – was slightly higher than the rate for white students of 65.6 percent.

“Our findings make clear that colleges and universities have a lot of work to do if they want to fulfill their public purpose to serve as engines of social mobility for all students, including Latino students,” said Wil Del Pilar, vice president of higher education policy and practice at The Education Trust. “As members of Congress contemplate changes to the Higher Education Act, they need to take a close look at what successful colleges are doing and provide resources, support, and a system of accountability to help lower-performing colleges get dramatically better at serving low-income students and students of color.”

The Education Trust is a nonprofit advocacy organization that promotes high academic achievement for all students at all levels, pre-kindergarten through college. Its goal is to close the gaps in opportunity and achievement that consign far too many young people — especially those from low-income families or who are Black, Latino or American Indian — to lives on the margins of the American mainstream.