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Commissioner Adam Putnam Hosts Hurricane Preparedness Round Table

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Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam today hosted a hurricane preparedness round table discussion in Fort Myers.

Among the participants were: Senator Lizbeth Benacquisto, Representative Dane Eagle, Lee County Undersheriff Carmine Marceno, Fort Myers Fire Chief John Caufield, Lee County Commission Chair Cecil Pendergrass, Sanibel Mayor Kevin Ruane, Lee County Emergency Management Director Lee Mayfield, Lee County Assistant Manager Christine Brady, Fort Myers Fire Department Emergency Management Specialist Judith Hartwell, and Major Glenn Kramer with the Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement.

Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation Hosts Golf Classic in Fort Myers

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The Florida Cancer Specialists (FCS) Foundation is proud to announce the inaugural 2018 Golf Classic, which will be held May 17th-18th, 2018, at the Heritage Palms Golf & Country Club located at 10420 Washingtonia Palm Way, Fort Myers, FL 33966. The event will be chaired by FCS Physician, Dr. Michael Raymond.

The event will include a Golf Clinic on May 17th at 6:00 p.m. with 3-Time US Open Winner, Hale Irwin and proceeding will be a dinner, auction and program. On May 18th from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. guests will enjoy breakfast, driving range, shotgun start and a luncheon to conclude the day. The tickets are $350 per golfer and $1200 for a foursome with all event proceeds providing financial support to cancer patients for non-medical living expenses.

FCS CEO, Bradley Prechtl, MBA, said, “I am always grateful for the continued support of our local community and FCS physicians in Fort Myers. We have received tremendous support for our inaugural Golf Classic this year and I look forward to many more ahead!”

Honorary Chair, FCS Physician, Dr. Michael Raymond, shared, “I am honored to be named honorary chair of the first Golf Classic hosted in Fort Myers. This is a great event for the local community to have fun while raising money for patients in need.”

FCS Foundation Board Member, Tom Uhler, stated, “The FCS Foundation would not be able to provide grants to cancer patients in need without fundraisers like the Golf Classic. This is a great way to get the community involved, while making a difference in the lives of others.”

FCS Foundation Executive Director, Lynn Rasys added, “The FCS Foundation would like to thank all our sponsors, as well as 3-Time US Open Winner, Hale Irwin, for attending our inaugural Golf Classic.”

About Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation
The Florida Cancer Specialists (FCS) Foundation provides financial support to qualified cancer patients in the state of Florida for expenses such as rent or mortgage, car payments and utility bills. By giving patients peace of mind in knowing that their bills are being paid while they are undergoing treatment, the FCS Foundation allows them to concentrate on what really matters – fighting cancer.

Due to the generosity of the Florida Cancer Specialists partner physicians in covering all overhead expenses for the Foundation, 100% of donations received go directly towards paying the essential non-medical living expenses of an adult battling cancer.

The Foundation is a 501(3)(c) nonprofit organization and located at 5204 Paylor Lane in Sarasota, Florida. Learn more about the FCS Foundation at: Foundation.FLCancer.com or call 941.677.7181.

CFO Jimmy Patronis Recognizes Fort Myers Fraud Investigator Glen Clasen for Outstanding Service

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During Tuesday’s meeting of the Florida Cabinet, Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis honored Department of Financial Services Lieutenant Glen Clasen as a recent recipient of the United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Florida’s Outstanding Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award. Lt. Clasen was honored for his work on a high-profile personal injury protection (PIP) case that led to a successful 14-year mail fraud conviction in federal court.
CFO Patronis said, “PIP fraud has driven up the cost of car insurance in our state, and it’s a crime that our Department had dedicated significant resources to fighting in Florida. We’re making great strides, and Lt. Clasen’s dedication to this case reiterates our collective commitment to breaking down these fraud rings at the highest levels. His award and recognition are well-deserved for a job well done.”
Prior to joining the Department of Financial Services, Lt. Clasen served the Fort Myers Police Department, as well as in the United States Navy as a search and rescue swimmer aboard the USS John F. Kennedy. Lt. Clasen joined the Department in 2006 as a detective assigned to the Bureau of Insurance Fraud’s Fort Myers Field Office. He was promoted to lead detective in 2013 and lieutenant in June 2015.
The PIP case that led to Lt. Clasen’s award involved a large-scale criminal network that spanned from Kentucky to Fort Myers, Florida. Lt. Clasen partnered with the FBI, the Internal Revenue Service and the National Insurance Crime Bureau to unravel the fraud ring that involved staged vehicle accidents, straw clinic ownership, fraudulent insurance claims, money laundering and mail fraud. Throughout the duration of the investigation, Lt. Clasen conducted hours of surveillance and secured a confidential source who provided information critical to the case.
The lieutenant contacted each of the involved insurance companies and assisted them in identifying fraudulently-billed claims. The evidence gathered throughout the course of the investigation led law enforcement to the ringleader of the network, who was tried, convicted and sentenced to 14 years in federal prison last September.
The Department of Financial Services is the state of Florida’s lead investigative agency for insurance and workers’ compensation fraud, fire and arson investigations and the theft or misuse of state funds. To report suspected fraud, call the Department’s toll-free Fraud Tip Hotline at 1-800-378-0445.

Gov. Scott Highlights Law Enforcement and State Employee Pay Raise in Fort Myers

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Governor Rick Scott today highlighted pay raises in the Fighting for Florida’s Future budget for Florida’s sworn state law enforcement officers, correctional officers and state employees.
Governor Scott said, “I am proud to highlight the raises that our hard working state employees and law enforcements officers will receive in our Fighting for Florida’s Future budget. With a 46-year low in crime, Florida’s law enforcement officers and state employees help make our state the best place in the nation to live, work and raise a family. I am proud of all they have accomplished for Florida families.”

ICYMI: 300 Floridians Attend CRC Public Hearing in Fort Myers

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Approximately 300 Floridians attended a public hearing held by the Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) on May 10 in Fort Myers at Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) as part of its, “Floridians Speak, We Listen” statewide tour. At FSW, more than 100 individual Floridians requested to speak before the CRC. All Floridians who attended the public hearing and wanted to speak were given an opportunity to be heard.
To watch the public hearing held in Fort Myers, visit the Florida Channel’s website which has a page dedicated to all CRC public hearings and meetings. A complete transcript of the public hearing and appearance forms will be available online at flcrc.gov as soon as possible. The next public hearing held by the CRC will be on Wednesday, May 17, at Hillsborough Community College’s Dale Mabry Campus in Tampa beginning at 5:00 PM. Visit flcrc.gov/Meetings/PublicHearings for the schedule of confirmed public hearings and full event details.

Floridians make their voices heard at Florida SouthWestern
State College’s (FSW) Suncoast Credit Union Arena in Fort Myers.

CRC Announces Public Hearing at Florida SouthWestern State College in Fort Myers

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MEDIA ADVISORY

The Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) invites all interested Floridians to participate in a public hearing at Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) in Fort Myers on Wednesday, May 10 beginning at 5:00 PM.
Members of the media wishing to attend are asked to bring their press credentials. The event will also be live-streamed by The Florida Channel on www.TheFloridaChannel.org.
WHAT: Public hearing of the Constitution Revision Commission (CRC)
WHEN: Wednesday, May 10, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
*End time is tentative depending upon attendance and public interest in speaking before the CRC. All Floridians wishing to speak before the CRC will be given an opportunity to be heard.
WHERE: LEE COUNTY
Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW)
Suncoast Credit Union Arena
13351 FSW Parkway
Fort Myers, Fla. 33919
GOOGLE MAP LINK: https://goo.gl/maps/Fpsu3tbhL8M2
Individuals requiring an accommodation to participate in this public hearing (such as a sign language interpreter) are requested to notify the Constitution Revision Commission five days prior to the scheduled meeting date at [email protected] or 850.717.9550.