Volume 4 Number 37
September 14, 2007

Fellow Floridian:

This week, the Department of Financial Services’ Division of Insurance Fraud (DIF) made several arrests, including a husband and wife accused of stealing nearly $8 million from escrow funds held by their title agency. An article inside this week’s edition of eViews provides details of the arrests, including how the investigation revealed the couple allegedly used the funds to supplement a lavish lifestyle.

While every insurance fraud case is different, what never varies is that fraud hurts real people and real businesses and ultimately costs us all. So when we make arrests and hold those who commit insurance fraud accountable, we send a strong message that we will not tolerate anyone taking advantage of Floridians.

Detective Henry Thomas Clark, a longtime investigator with DIF, this week was awarded the International Association of Special Investigation Units’ 2007 Public Service Award. Detective Clark was chosen for the award based on one particular case that has resulted in numerous arrests, indictments and convictions in a $200 million workers’ compensation fraud scheme that left thousands of workers in Florida and across the nation without coverage for on-the-job injuries and families without death benefits.

We congratulate Detective Clark and thank every employee and agency who works with us to protect and serve Floridians.

CFO ADDRESSES THE CHAMBER OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

On Wednesday, September 12, 2007, Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink spoke to members of the Chamber of Southwest Florida, addressing the upcoming expiration of Florida’s Motor Vehicle No-Fault Law, property insurance and property taxes.  The CFO also discussed that most homeowners receiving free wind inspections from the My Safe Florida Home program are learning that they are eligible for savings on their wind insurance premiums.  In Lee County alone, homeowners were eligible to save an average of $236 a year, without completing any mitigation efforts on their homes. 

CFO Sink and Sen. Burt Saunders (R) of Naples

CFO SINK ANNOUNCES MY SAFE FLORIDA HOME FAIR TO BE HELD IN PENSACOLA SATURDAY

Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink announced the My Safe Florida Home (MSFH) program is partnering with Escambia County non-profit organizations and businesses to hold a fair designed to raise awareness about the safety and financial incentives of mitigation.

The MSFH fair will take place at the Pensacola Civic Center on September 15, 2007, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. CFO Sink is hosting the fair with the Escambia County Commission, Gulf Power Corporation and WEAR-TV. More than 50 hurricane-preparedness exhibits will be on display at the fair, and all exhibits and workshops are free to the public.

“We are taking the My Safe Florida Home program on the road to educate Florida homeowners about the importance of mitigation,” said CFO Sink who oversees the Department of Financial Services. “I encourage every homeowner in Northwest Florida to apply for their free wind inspection and see if they are eligible for discounts on their windstorm insurance.” CONTINUED

 

 

 CAPITOL AND STATE FIRE COLLEGE REMEMBER SEPTEMBER 11, 2001

In tribute to the fallen of September 11, 2001, a bagpiper played Amazing Grace, a brass bell tolled and firefighters honored the flag. Governor Crist, Lt. Governor Kottkamp and the members of the Florida Cabinet paid their respects in memory of the event of six years ago.

 At the State Fire College in Ocala, at 9:59 on Tuesday, September 11, 2007, the apparatus bell sounded 5 gongs, a short pause, then 5 more; another pause, 5 more, pause, and another 5 and then it fell silent.

Staff and students at the Florida State Fire College gathered at the State Fallen Firefighter Memorial in the center of campus to honor those FDNY firefighters that lost their lives in the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center (WTC). 2007 marks the 6th anniversary of the loss. CONTINUED

MISTY JOINS THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL TEAM

After the retirement of K-9 Xena by Lt. Eric Saccasyn, the bureau selected Detective Mike Douglas to receive training and a replacement canine. Detective Douglas and his new partner Misty were certified by the Maine State Police as an accelerant detection canine team. State Farm funded the training and expenses.

On September 13th, their 4th day in service, Douglas and Misty were investigating a vehicle fire in Auburndale. The team determined the fire to be incendiary and made their first arrests.

Congratulations to Mike and Misty on the success of their first criminal investigation and apprehension. Misty has some big shoes to fill with Xena monitoring from retirement but this first assignment is a good indication that she is well on her way to success.


 

 

 CFO SINK ANNOUNCES ARRESTS IN $8 MILLION ESCROW THEFT

Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink announced the arrests of a husband and wife on multiple counts of theft of escrow funds and money laundering for allegedly stealing nearly $8 million from their title company escrow accounts.

The charges against John T. Wehlau, 43, and Cheryl T. Wehlau, 41, owners and operators of Gulf Coast Title Closings & Escrow Services in New Port Richey, are the result of an investigation by the Department of Financial Services’ Division of Insurance Fraud (DIF), a statewide law enforcement agency that investigates insurance fraud. The primary victim, Commonwealth Land Title Insurance Company, covered hundreds of homebuyers’ missing funds.

“Fraud hurts all Floridians and our economy by artificially driving up costs that are passed on to all consumers,” said CFO Sink, who oversees the department. “We will protect our citizens by rooting out these costly crimes and holding those involved accountable.”
CONTINUED
 

SENATOR GELLER DELIVERS $5,000 CHECK FROM THE MY SAFE FLORIDA HOME PROGRAM TO FT. LAUDERDALE RESIDENT TUESDAY
Sink urging more Broward County residents to sign up at www.MySafeFloridaHome.com

On behalf of Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink and the My Safe Florida Home (MSFH) program, Senator Steve Geller (D-Hallandale Beach) personally delivered a matching grant reimbursement for $5,000 to a Ft. Lauderdale homeowner who hardened his home through the state’s MSFH program.

Daniel Lyden, a 45-year-old system engineer from Ft. Lauderdale, received a grant reimbursement Tuesday after hardening his home’s opening protections. After having his home inspected by a MSFH inspector, Lyden received a report indicating that the addition of impact-resistant windows and doors would help harden his home to hurricanes. With the program’s matching grant reimbursement of up to $5,000, Lyden was able to harden his windows and doors for a total cost of about $25,000. CONTINUED

 

REP. TAYLOR DELIVERS $5,000 CHECK FROM THE MY SAFE FLORIDA HOME PROGRAM TO RIVIERA BEACH HOMEOWNERS WEDNESDAY

CFO Sink urging more Palm Beach County residents to sign up at www.MySafeFloridaHome.com

On behalf of Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink and the My Safe Florida Home (MSFH) program, Representative Priscilla Taylor (D-Riviera Beach) personally delivered a matching grant reimbursement for $5,000 to a Riviera Beach couple who hardened their home through the state’s MSFH program. 

“Mitigation is the best way to protect your home, it will reduce the state’s exposure to hurricane damage and it can result in savings on your wind insurance premium,” said CFO Sink, who oversees the Department of Financial Services.  “I encourage more Floridians to follow Mr. and Mrs. Sayles’ lead to sign up for free wind inspections through the My Safe Florida Home program.”  CONTINUED