CFO Alex Sink photo

Volume 4 Number 9
March 2, 2007

Dear Floridian:

Over the years, it has become increasingly evident that climate change is not only a reality – but also a real threat to our way of life.  As the state’s Chief Financial Officer, It is my duty to understand and prepare for all issues that may affect the future of Florida’s economy.  That is why Commissioner of Agriculture Charles Bronson and I announced that we are partnering to co-host a series of “Conversations on Climate Change.”

The conversations will be a series of cabinet workshops to discuss the impact of climate change on Florida’s economy, as well as the need to expand renewable energy sources. The first workshop will be held on Tuesday, April 3, 2007, after the Cabinet meeting and is titled, “Climate Change: An Overview.”  Each week we will continue to be joined by national experts and leaders on climate change such as former New York Governor Pataki, who is set to participate in our June workshop.

It is our hope that the conversations will help elected officials, business leaders, and residents understand the challenges that climate change presents, as well as the opportunities we have to be part of finding potential solutions.  As a result, we may not only be protecting our economy but also helping to expand it with new environmentally friendly industries.

We invite you to follow along with us as we engage in these conversations.

Sincerely,

Alex Sink

 


Insurance Consumer Advocate Milligan

CFO ALEX SINK AND INSURANCE CONSUMER ADVOCATE MILLIGAN TO HOLD MEDIA AVAILABILITY

Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink and Insurance Consumer Advocate Bob Milligan will hold a media availability Monday, March 5, 2007, at 12:30 p.m. in the Office of the Chief Financial Officer.

CFO Sink and General Milligan will unveil a new website for the Office of the Insurance Consumer Advocate and discuss their vision for a stronger Insurance Consumer Advocate.

 


Alex Sink
Chief Financial Officer
State of Florida

 

CFO SINK AND COMMISSIONER BRONSON ANNOUNCE “CONVERSATIONS ON CLIMATE CHANGE”

Former New York Governor George E. Pataki, leading national experts to participate 

Bringing awareness to how environmental changes affect Floridians, Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink and Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services Charles Bronson announced they will be co-hosting “Conversations on Climate Change,” a series of Cabinet workshops on how Florida’s economy is affected by changes in climate and the need to expand renewable energy sources.   

“Conversations on Climate Change” will begin Tuesday, April 3, 2007, at 11:00 a.m. after the Florida Cabinet meeting with “Climate Change: An Overview.”  Future workshops are scheduled after the June 12, September 18, and November 14, 2007, Florida Cabinet meetings.  Each workshop will feature a new topic and national experts in areas such as: the science of rising sea levels, renewable energy sources, the impact of climate change on the insurance and financial industries, and more.  The sessions will also give elected officials, business leaders and Floridians the opportunity to understand how these challenges and potential solutions present opportunities for the growth of new industries in our state.  

“Climate change is a reality, and we need to learn as much as we can about the potential impact on our state’s financial health,” said CFO Sink. “As someone concerned about Florida’s economy, I’m proud to partner with Commissioner Bronson to learn from other states’ experiences as we evaluate and make informed decisions about the future of energy in Florida.”   CONTINUED


 

CROSS CITY MAN CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER, ARSON 

Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, who also serves as State Fire Marshal, said a 43-year-old man who set fire to a mobile home while his wife was in it has been charged with attempted murder, aggravated battery and arson. 

State Fire Marshal detectives arrested Demps Randall Rains last Thursday following an investigation into the February 18 fire at their home at 9472 NE Highway 351, Cross City.  Both Rains and his wife were transported to Shands Hospital for smoke inhalation.   

“We will not tolerate violence against our citizens, and not only was this woman’s life put at risk but also the lives of firefighters and others who responded to the fire,” said CFO Sink.  “We will do all we can to assist in prosecuting these charges to the fullest extent of the law.”  
 CONTINUED


WINDSTORM MITIGATION STUDY COMMITTEE MEETS TO FINALIZE REPORT

The Windstorm Mitigation Study Committee will conduct conference calls this Saturday, March 3, and meet in Tallahassee on Monday, March 5, 2007.  The committee call on Saturday will be held from 8 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. The committee meeting on  Monday will be held from 9 a.m. till 5 p.m, and with a conference call connection available throughout the meeting.

For an overview of the information presented, visit the Committee webpage at http://www.windstormmitigationstudycommittee.org.

 

ARRESTS MADE IN $2 MILLION MORTGAGE FRAUD RING

Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink announced today the arrests of two title agents believed to be part of a six-member mortgage fraud ring suspected of duping several mortgage lenders and a homeowner out of nearly $2 million. 

The arrests stem from a joint investigation between the Department of Financial Services, Division of Insurance Fraud (DIF), and the Office of Financial Regulation (OFR), and focused on real estate transactions on five properties located in Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and St. Lucie counties. On all of these properties, bogus mortgages were obtained using false HUD-1’s, sham appraisals, bogus second mortgages, false verifications of employment, earnest money that was never received and other fraudulent documents.

“These kinds of schemes cause real economic harm to Floridians and our state’s economy,” said CFO Sink.  “I commend the investigators for unraveling this scheme and working with the Office of Statewide Prosecution to get charges filed against these individuals.”
CONTINUED

 

CFO SINK BANS AGENT WHO MISLED SENIOR, ORDERS SON TO PAY RESTITUTION

Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink announced today that she has permanently barred an insurance agent from involvement in Florida’s insurance industry and his son, also an agent, has been ordered to pay restitution for duping an elderly client into annuity deals that resulted in her suffering surrender charges and adverse tax consequences.

Hunter Stephen Bowen, Sr., 57, and Hunter Stephen Bowen Jr., 32, both of Ocala, allegedly convinced the woman to surrender several annuities, which she had bought over a period of time from Bowen, Sr., in favor of a new annuity carrying with it years of surrender charges.

“It is unconscionable that anyone would knowingly take advantage of a senior citizen who is relying on his or her advice to help with their financial security,” said CFO Sink.  “I especially encourage seniors who have any questions about financial decisions to call the department for guidance, because there are people out there who will target them because they have a lifetime of savings.” CONTINUED


 

Viatical Company Pleads Guilty to Racketeering, Fraud

Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink and Attorney General Bill McCollum announced that Mutual Benefits Corp., once the largest viatical settlement company in the country, pled guilty in Broward County Circuit Court to criminal charges of racketeering and numerous counts of investment fraud. The criminal charges filed by the Office of Statewide Prosecution were a direct result of the investigation conducted by the Department of Financial Services, Division of Insurance Fraud. The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation has since revoked the company's certificate of authority.

The viatical industry frequently involves the discount purchase of life insurance policies from an insured individual who has been diagnosed as being terminally ill. Investors become named beneficiaries and upon death of the insured are paid the full amount of the policy. The profit is based upon the projected life expectancy of the insured. Fraudulent life expectancies issued by Mutual Benefits left many investors with false expectations and investments that could not meet their advertised terms.

“Thousands of investors were financially harmed by the extensive fraud perpetrated by this company, and I am pleased that our investigation has resulted in criminal and civil actions that reflect the serious nature of these crimes,” said CFO Sink. “We will continue to do all we can to protect Floridians and to aggressively pursue anyone who seeks to defraud our citizens.”  CONTINUED

BROWARD COUNTY DENTIST FACES GRAND THEFT CHARGE

Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink announced today the arrest of a dentist who allegedly billed the Fort Lauderdale Police Health Trust Fund for more than $18,000 in dental services that were never rendered.

Dr. Amy Masri, 35, was arrested Wednesday and charged with grand theft following a joint investigation between the Department of Financial Services, Division of Insurance Fraud (DIF), and the Fort Lauderdale Police Department.  She was booked into the Broward County Jail.  If convicted on the charge, she faces up to five years in prison in addition to possible fines and restitution.

“This individual is accused of stealing money needed to provide care to police offers and their families,” said CFO Sink.  “This is an affront to the men and women who serve and protect our citizens, and it is a crime that should be aggressively prosecuted.” CONTINUED

PENSACOLA MEN CHARGED WITH ARSON AND CONSPIRACY

Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, who also serves as State Fire Marshal, said two men, including one who has been convicted twice before of arson, are facing numerous felony charges after setting fire to a mobile home in January.

Detectives in the State Fire Marshal’s Office, Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigations (BFAI), arrested William Charles Schrader, 50, on charges of first-degree arson, burglary and conspiracy. He faces up to 30 years in prison, in addition to fines and possible restitution, if convicted on all of the charges. Joseph Anthony Donovan, 37, was arrested on charges of first-degree arson and conspiracy and faces up to 25 years in prison, in addition to fines and possible restitution, if convicted on all of the charges. Both men were booked into the Escambia County Jail.

“Arson will not be tolerated in this state,” said CFO Sink. “These men put the lives of innocent people at risk, including firefighters and other responders, and we will do all we can to assist prosecutors in ensuring these men get the maximum penalty under the law.” CONTINUED
 

BROWARD COUNTY MAN CHARGED WITH INSURANCE FRAUD

Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, who also serves as State Fire Marshal, announced the arrest this week of a Broward County man on a charge of filing false and fraudulent insurance claims in connection with two fires at his mobile home.

Carl Hickey, of Weston, allegedly used old photos of his home, taken before it was damaged by the first fire, to apply for new insurance. He then submitted a claim for the second fire allegedly based on the fraudulent application. Hickey was arrested Tuesday by State Fire Marshal arson investigators and was booked into the Broward County Jail. If convicted on the charges, he faces up to five years in prison on each charge in addition to restitution and possible fines.

“Insurance fraud is a costly crime that results in higher premiums for everyone,” said CFO Sink. “That’s why we take insurance fraud seriously and will pursue investigations aggressively.”

The fires remain under investigation, and anyone with information is urged to call 1-877-662-7766 (1-877-NOARSON). CONTINUED
 

ST. LUCIE COUNTY WOMAN CHARGED WITH ARSON TO AN OCCUPIED DWELLING

 A St. Lucie County woman who allegedly set fire to an apartment to get revenge on her boyfriend has been arrested on a charge of arson to an occupied dwelling.

Detective Greg Gilkey, with the State Fire Marshal’s Office, Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigations, arrested Jeannette Tressley, 24, on Thursday.  She was booked into the St. Lucie County Jail on a $25,000 bond.   If convicted on the charge, she faces up to 30 years in prison.

No one was injured in the December 1, 2006, fire at the apartment complex located at 1905 Avenue North, but two apartments were heavily damaged including one that had residents in it at the time of the fire.

The Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigations is a law enforcement branch of the Division of State Fire Marshal that assists other state and local fire and law enforcement agencies in the investigation of fires of suspicious origin.  Anyone with information about this case or any incident of fire is asked to call 1-877-662-7766 (1-877-NOARSON).