TALLAHASSEE, FL. – In a letter today to Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis offered the full support of his fraud detectives and forensic services division in investigating individuals arrested this week in Miami for allegedly stealing the identity of victims of the Surfside condo collapse. The CFO’s Division of Investigative and Forensic Services (DIFS) encompasses all law enforcement and forensic components residing within the Florida Department of Financial Services. With this broad responsibility, the division investigates a wide range of fraudulent and criminal acts.

Read the full letter below or download it here.

September 10, 2021

State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle
Office of the Miami-Dade State Attorney
1350 N.W. 12 Avenue
Miami, FL 33136

Dear Miami-Dade State Attorney Rundle:

I wanted to thank you and your team for investigating and apprehending the individuals involved in allegedly stealing and using the identities of several victims who tragically died in the Champlain Towers South condominium collapse in Surfside. I’m absolutely horrified to learn that these individuals conducted an elaborate scheme to steal the personal financial information of victims of this heartbreaking tragedy. As you know, financial crimes and identity theft can cripple a family or business for years and many Floridians are targeted following disasters like Surfside. These tragedies bring out the best in humanity, but also the worst in people and the alleged perpetrators should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

As you move forward in your investigation, I want you to know that you can count on the full support of my dedicated fraud investigators and forensic services team if you need additional resources to support your efforts to hold these scam artists accountable. The State of Florida and the Surfside community was forever changed that day and the heinous actions of these alleged criminals only deepens the tremendous pain felt by the families of those lost in this tragedy.

As far as I’m concerned, anyone that would steal from a victim of Surfside or their family, is the lowest form of life on earth. For the rest of their life they should cower in fear that they will be tracked down, arrested and put in prison, because they will.
During the response to this tragedy, you and your team were on the ground day in and day out providing vital support where needed. Thank you for your dedication to your community and fellow Floridians, and thank you for your commitment to eliminating fraud in Florida.
Sincerely,

Jimmy Patronis
Chief Financial Officer

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About CFO Jimmy Patronis 
Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis is a statewide elected official and a member of Florida’s Cabinet who oversees the Department of Financial Services. CFO Patronis works each day to fight insurance fraud, support Florida’s firefighters, and ensure the state’s finances are stable to support economic growth in the state. Follow the activities of the Department on Facebook (FLDFS) and X (@FLDFS).