Leaders

CONTACT

Zachary Metz

Legislative Aide

Office of Representative Kevin Chambliss

[email protected]

(850) 717-5117

FLORIDA CITY, Fla. – Johnny Stevenson, Jr., a Florida City resident and father of 14, senselessly lost his life from a gunshot wound he received yesterday after attempting to break up a fight between two girls, one of who was his daughter. The altercation began between the two on the school bus, and carried out onto the street once the bus arrived at its destination. Upon seeing his daughter involved in this altercation, he rushed to break it up, when another bystander pulled out a gun, and shot him in the stomach. Mr. Stevenson succumbed to his injuries and passed during surgery.

 Representative Kevin Chambliss (D-Homestead), issued the following statement in response:

“Yesterday, the life of Johnny Stevenson, Jr. was tragically cut short after yet another instance of gun violence. Johnny needlessly lost his life through the unnecessary escalation of an altercation between his daughter and another student, and it is yet another example of gun violence shattering the lives of many.

“Furthermore, this should act as a call to action for the Miami-Dade County School Board to implement new safety standards for school buses. School busses are the only reliable method of transportation for so many kids in our district to access educational institutions, and in no uncertain terms, altercations like these should never be able to develop on a school bus, and spill out into the street. We must act now.”

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Office of Representative Michael Gottlieb

[email protected]

(954) 655-5498

Shock, disgust, horror, and sadness cannot fully describe the tragic discovery of 6 kidnapped and tortured souls, including the body of 23-year-old American-Israeli citizen, Hersh Goldberg-Polin.  Hamas is a terrorist organization which must be destroyed. The Florida Legislative Jewish Caucus sends our sincere condolences to all victimized families and reaffirm our commitment to stand with Israel in her efforts to eradicate these terrorists.

Members:

Chair, Representative Michael Gottlieb

Senators

Senator Lori Berman

Senator Lauren Book

Senator Tina Polsky

Representatives

Representative Michael Caruso

Representative Hillary Cassel

Representative Randy Fine

Representative Peggy Gossett-Seidman

Representative Rita Harris

Representative Michelle Salzman

Representative David Silvers

Representative Kelly Skidmore

Representative Allison Tant

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

~ 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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MAST CALLS ON FORT PIERCE CITY MANAGER TO RESIGN FOLLOWING CORRUPTION ARREST

Fort Pierce City Manager Nicholas Mimms was arrested on charges of official misconduct and bid tampering.

FORT PIERCE, Fla. – U.S. Congressman Brian Mast (FL-21) issued the following statement in light of the arrest on corruption charges of Fort Pierce City Manager Nicholas Mimms:

“A judge and jury will decide if Fort Pierce City Manager Nick Mimms is guilty or innocent. In the meantime, he should resign. If he does not resign, Mayor Hudson and City Commissioners Curtis Johnson and Arnold Gaines, who have been unwilling to vote him out previously, should vote to remove him now.

“I love Fort Pierce and its people: It is my home. But as I have said this bluntly before, we deserve a city government that addresses homelessness, crime, and the garbage everywhere, which tarnishes one of the most naturally beautiful places in Florida. Across much of our city, kids cannot walk to school or the local park without their parents having to fear for their life.

“Over the past year, I’ve sent hundreds of messages to Fort Pierce City Hall with documented proof of major decay that no resident should have to tolerate. Most of this time, this decay is not addressed.

“So, yes. Please fire him now. It is a long time coming.”

After two years of investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, City Manager Nicholas Mimms was arrested on one count of official misconduct and one count of bid tampering on August 14, 2024.

City Manager Mimms was booked into St. Lucie County Jail on $10,000 bail. Mimms has been the city manager with the city since 2015.

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FDLE arrests Wauchula man for fraud over $50,000

High school bookkeeper made unauthorized purchases and manipulated records 

For Immediate Release

August 13, 2024

WAUCHULA, Fla. – The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) yesterday arrested Elvis Raymond Gray, 52, of Wauchula, on one count of Scheme to Defraud $50,000 or more, a felony.

FDLE Tampa Bay Special Agent in Charge Mark Brutnell says, “The thorough and diligent work of our agents and analysts is the best example of service and integrity that we can give to the youth and staff who were affected by this person’s self-serving actions.”

The investigation began when Hardee County Sheriff’s Office contacted FDLE about misappropriation of funds at Hardee High School. The complaint alleged that Gray, as the sole bookkeeper for the school, was using a school credit card to make unauthorized purchases for personal gain.

Agents reviewed records including Gray’s credit card statements, the bookkeeping records for Hardee High School, and Gray’s personal accounts. Agents say he may have stolen more than $300,000 between 2016 and 2021.

The investigation also found the school’s petty cash fund was being fraudulently deposited into Gray’s personal accounts and used for personal purchases.  To cover the missing funds, he manipulated deposit slips and receipts.

Agents served a search warrant at Gray’s residence in December 2023 and seized multiple items of evidentiary value.

The case is being investigated by FDLE Tampa Bay.

On August 12, Gray was arrested and booked into the Hardee County Jail without bond pending first appearance. The case will be prosecuted by the State Attorney’s Office, Tenth Judicial Circuit.

For Further Information Contact:

FDLE Office of Public Information

(850) 410-7001

DeLand SunRail Station Opens with Celebratory Bell-Ringing

New station completes original vision for 17 stations across Central Florida counties

DELAND, Fla. – The bold vision for a SunRail commuter rail line to connect four Central Florida counties through 17 stations, over 61 miles, was realized today, Friday, August 9, with the opening of the DeLand SunRail Station in Volusia County.

Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Secretary Jared W. Perdue, P.E., District Five Secretary John E. Tyler, P.E., the partners of the Central Florida Commuter Rail Commission, elected officials from Volusia County, the City of DeLand, and counties and cities across Central Florida, representatives from the railroad industry and civic organizations, and community partners from along the SunRail line held a Grand Opening Celebration with SunRail’s traditional bell-ringing, confetti cannons, and banners representing each of the three phases of SunRail’s development since the first stations opened in 2014.

“Today marks an exciting day where we can officially welcome DeLand and the surrounding community to the SunRail system,” said FDOT Secretary Perdue. “I’m extremely proud of the efforts of all our partners and FDOT team members who have made this final leg of the corridor a reality, accomplishing the original vision laid out for the SunRail system.”

The first train is scheduled to leave at 5:15 a.m. Monday, August 12, from the new station, the northernmost stop on the SunRail commuter rail system. The station is located at 2491 Old New York Avenue, DeLand.

“We are proud of how SunRail connects our communities,” said FDOT District Five Secretary Tyler. “SunRail serves thousands of commuters every week through work, education, and leisure travel opportunities. It has attracted new development and economic opportunity near the stations and empowered us to reimagine and reinvent what it means to live and work in Central Florida.”

“Each train that stops at the DeLand Station brings with it the potential for economic growth, more jobs, and more prosperity for the people of Volusia County,” said Volusia County Chair and Chairman of the SunRail commission Jeff Brower. “It also gives the residents of Volusia County another option for making their lives less stressful and more convenient. This is another path forward to a more interconnected and economically robust community.”

SunRail operates 40 trains Monday through Friday, connecting communities from DeLand to Poinciana. The Central Florida Commuter Rail Commission is a partnership between Volusia, Seminole, Orange, and Osceola counties and the City of Orlando, and they work with FDOT to operate the SunRail system.

The new DeLand Station, constructed adjacent to the existing Amtrak Station, extends service from the DeBary Station up to DeLand, a distance of 12.2 miles. The design for the new station reflects DeLand’s historic and natural beauty and features a unique center platform.

Fares start as low as $2, with discounts available for seniors, youth, and individuals with disabilities. All trains and stations are fully accessible; station parking is free, and trains feature onboard restrooms, comfortable work-station seating, and free WiFi. Passengers can purchase tickets via the SunRail Mobile app, available in the App Store and Google Play, or at ticket vending machines located on station platforms.

Upon arrival at the new DeLand SunRail Station, passengers have multiple options for reaching their final destination, including the VoRide rideshare service, https://www.votran.org/take-a-trip/voride.stml. Through a partnership with Votran, the City of DeLand, and MainStreet DeLand, SunRail is also in the final stages of making arrangements for a free, dedicated shuttle between the station and points of interest in downtown DeLand. Bicycles are welcome on SunRail trains, and bicyclists will be able to easily travel to downtown DeLand and connect to trails near the DeLand Station.

SunRail works closely with community partners for special events, to serve new residences near the rails, for career building with employers who promote employees’ use of mass transit, for educational opportunities for students, and supports mixed-use and new business for Transit-Oriented Development.

Over the last 10 years, 41 Transit-Oriented Development projects have been completed or started near stations with a construction value of $1.8 billion. The first 16 stations have experienced $2.4 billion in cumulative property value growth. DeBary is now adding its Main Street project, and new housing plans adjacent to the DeLand Station are already moving forward.

To learn more about SunRail, including train schedules, fares, station locations, and suggestions for things to do, please visit www.SunRail.com and download the SunRail Mobile and SunRail Alerts apps. Please be careful around trains, railroad crossings, and while at station platforms. Be smart. Be safe.

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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STATEMENT BY:

Amy Zubaly, Executive Director, Florida Municipal Electric Association Regarding Preparations for Tropical Storm Debby

“As the mutual aid coordinator for Florida’s 33 public power utilities, the Florida Municipal Electric Association has been monitoring the development of now Tropical Storm Debby and has engaged our mutual aid network in advance of the landfall. On behalf of our member communities in potentially impacted areas, we called on our strong national network of public power utilities and have arranged for mutual aid to assist with restoration efforts. Mutual aid crews from other utilities are pre-positioned to assist with restoration of outages that may occur as a result of Tropical Storm Debby as soon as conditions are safe.

We remain in close communications with local, state and federal emergency response departments and are standing by to assist with power restoration to Florida public power communities that are impacted by the storm.”

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The Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) represents the unified interests of 33 public power communities across the state, which provide electricity to more than 3 million of Florida’s residential and business consumers.