Volume 4 Number 42
October 19, 2007

Fellow Floridian:

It has been another busy week!

Mortgage Protection-- This week, I joined a national coalition of elected officials and consumer organizations to call on mortgage companies and lenders to follow basic principles of transparency and fairness. Read the Mortgage Protection Principles in this week’s eViews to learn how we’re asking lenders to help homeowners avoid foreclosure.

Disaster Preparedness-- A tornado hit Pensacola this week, reminding us all just how important it is to be prepared. Keep up your guard for the approach of a storm and have your supplies on hand. For additional information on disaster preparedness, visit www.MyFloridaCFO.com/Consumers/hurricane_2007.

Unclaimed Property—Today, I delivered a five-figure check from our unclaimed property program to a school nurse in Baker County. Have you checked to see if there is money or property being held for you or someone you may know? All it takes is a quick visit to www.FLTreasurehunt.org. Over a billion dollars is waiting to be claimed in over 7.8 million accounts. You may find lost assets that belong to you!

Sincerely,

Alex Sink

 

 

 

 

 SISTERS RECEIVE COLLECTIVE 17 YEARS IN PRISON FOR STEALING SCHOOL VOUCHER FUNDS

Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink and Jerry Hill, State Attorney for the 10th Judicial Circuit, announced that sisters Betty Mae Jives Mitchell, 40, and Jeannette Jives Nealy, 39, were sentenced Monday to a collective 17 years in prison for fraudulently obtaining and misusing more than $200,000 from Florida’s school voucher program.

Mitchell’s sentence is 160 months, just over 13 years, and Jeannette Nealy was sentenced to 48.9 months, just over four years, in prison. Both also received 10 years of probation, were ordered not to operate a child care facility or any school while on probation, were restricted to one bank account each and are banned from applying for any state or federal funding.

“The jury clearly recognized the seriousness of these actions and sent a strong message that stealing money from taxpayers is not acceptable,” said CFO Sink, who oversees the Department of Financial Services (DFS), which assisted with the investigation that led to the charges. “I commend the investigators and prosecutors involved in this case for ensuring these women were held accountable.” CONTINUED
 

 

 

 CFO SINK JOINS NATIONAL COALITION CALLING FOR MORTGAGE CHANGES 

With the mortgage crisis continuing to affect the country and the financial markets, Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink has joined a coalition of national elected officials and consumer organizations to call on mortgage companies and lenders to adhere to basic principles of transparency and fairness.  Led by North Carolina Treasurer Richard Moore, the coalition includes Kentucky Treasurer Jonathan Miller, New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, the leaders of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and UNITE HERE and several other financial organizations.  

By joining the coalition, CFO Sink is calling on companies to follow these Mortgage Protection Principles in order to strengthen their business operations going forward and to prevent yet another mortgage meltdown.  
    
“As Florida's Chief Financial Officer, I am highly concerned about our state's economy and the financial health of our consumers,” said CFO Sink, who oversees the Department of Financial Services.  “Today we are asking all financial institutions to help consumers avoid foreclosure, to be more diligent in their efforts to increase disclosure and to assist homeowners understand more about the financial decisions they make.” CONTINUED
 

 

Dunes dock proposal photo

 COLLIER DOCK PROJECT DENIED APPROVAL

At this week’s Cabinet meeting, Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink was joined by Attorney General Bill McCollum in opposing a controversial proposal to build a 1,540 foot dock along a stretch of mangroves in Collier County. The dock would have allowed 49 boats up to 35 feet in length to be moored on state submerged lands adjacent to a private condominium, development in North Naples.

The South Florida Water Management District had previously approved a permit for a condominium project, but the developer also needed approval from the Florida Cabinet to obtain a submerged lands lease and consent to dredge bay bottom. Florida owns submerged lands below the mean high water line and the Governor and Cabinet, sitting as the Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund oversee the disposition of state submerged lands. The private use of such lands is allowable if it does not negatively impact the public interest. CONTINUED

 

 

FUNERAL, CEMETERY & CONSUMER SERVICES

 BOARD SUSPENDS LICENSE OF FUNERAL DIRECTOR WHO SENT FAMILY TWO SETS OF REMAINS FOR FATHER

A funeral director who sent two sets of ashes to a family has been ordered to serve a six-month suspension and submit to other disciplinary measures. The decision was rendered last week during a meeting of the Board of Funeral, Cemetery, and Consumer Services. The board falls under the Department of Financial Services’ Division of Funeral, Cemetery and Consumer Services.

“Serving families who are grieving the loss of a loved one is an important responsibility that must be handled with the utmost attention and dignity,” said Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, who oversees the department. “We will investigate and take action against any funeral director who fails to provide the highest service that consumers deserve.” CONTINUED
 
 

1-800-22-STORM

 

Tornado Assistance link

 CFO SINK ACTIVATES STORM LINE FOR TORNADO VICTIMS

Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink is urging residents whose homes or businesses were damaged by a tornado that struck downtown Pensacola to call the Department of Financial Services’ storm hotline at 1-800-22-STORM (1-800-227-8676) if they have questions regarding steps to take to immediately protect their homes or if they need help filing an insurance claim.

The storm line was activated moments after the powerful storm hit the area on Thursday, and is active from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EDT.

“We have consumer specialists on the phone ready to assist victims with insurance and financial questions,” said CFO Sink, who also serves as State Fire Marshal. “We will do all we can to help the residents of Pensacola get back on their feet quickly.” CONTINUED
 

 


 

 CFO SINK DELIVERS $28,000 CHECK TO BAKER COUNTY SCHOOL NURSE

Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink delivered a check to Shelly Bennett, a Baker County resident, along with a reminder about the importance of regularly checking the Bureau of Unclaimed Property Web site for your unclaimed property.

Bennett, a nurse at Baker County Middle School, was recently contacted by the Bureau regarding unclaimed cash, mostly from certificate stocks, that had been turned over to the state. CFO Sink returned the money to Bennett today via a check for more than $28,000.

“I’m so glad we were able to find Ms. Bennett and give her this money back,” said CFO Sink, who oversees the Bureau. “I encourage all Floridians to visit our Web site at www.FLTreasureHunt.org. With nearly eight million accounts, the chances are good we are holding cash or property for you or someone you know.”  CONTINUED
 

 

SIX COLLIER COUNTY CONTRACTORS CITED IN SURPRISE SWEEP

Investigators from the Department of Financial Services, Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Compliance, issued six Stop Work Orders (SWOs) during a surprise enforcement sweep last week of 39 contractor sites throughout Collier County. The SWOs were issued to contractors determined not to have workers’ compensation coverage for their employees.

Dubbed Operation Check Point, the sweep also involved inspectors and investigators from Collier County Licensing, who issued 11 citations, and the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, who issued three citations and two Cease and Desist Orders, all for unlicensed activity.

“Our commitment is to ensure Floridians are protected and that contractors are properly licensed and insured to provide services,” said Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, who oversees the Department of Financial Services (DFS). “By working together with local and state agencies, we are able to conduct a comprehensive investigation that allows us to take quick and decisive action.” CONTINUED