CFO Patronis Legislative Update for February 6, 2024

CFO Patronis Legislative Update for February 5, 2024

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced the arrest of William Diehl for allegedly impersonating an insurance agent and defrauding consumers purchasing auto insurance. Diehl, while not licensed as an insurance agent, sold multiple fraudulent and non-existing automobile insurance policies to several unsuspecting victims, many of whom may still be unaware they are driving without auto insurance. In total, Diehl allegedly defrauded consumers of more than $29,000.

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis issued a statement urging Floridians to start saving now for your child’s future by enrolling in a Florida Prepaid College Plan. A college degree is a major investment and with student loan debt at $1.7 trillion nationwide, pre-planning for the cost of college is not only vital to your student’s academic success, but future financial success as well. During the Open Enrollment period from February 1 and April 30, 2024, Prepaid Plan prices have been reduced up to 25%, now starting at just $34 a month for newborns. To learn more and take advantage of the lowest Prepaid Plan prices in ten years, visit MyFloridaPrepaid.com today.

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced that more than $32 million in unclaimed property was returned to Floridians during the month of January. Since CFO Patronis took office in 2017, more than $2.3 billion in unclaimed property has been returned to Florida citizens.

Today, the Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS) secured an arrest warrant for Elliot Maurice Graham, Funeral Director of Marion Graham Mortuaries in Jacksonville, Florida. The arrest warrant was issued by the 4th Judicial Circuit Court following the execution of a search warrant by DFS on mortuary premises. Graham faces multiple charges, including one felony count of Grand Theft and one misdemeanor count of Improper Preservation of a Human Body.

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis is warning Floridians to beware of the federal government’s activities of acquiring personal transactions of consumers’ information from financial institutions. This comes as recent reports state federal agencies are asking financial institutions, like banks, credit card companies and cash-apps to search and flag Americans’ transactions if they used terms like “MAGA” or “Trump” or if they made certain purchases at retailers like Dick’s Sporting Goods, Cabela’s, or Bass Pro Shops.

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. – Today, Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis gave remarks at the grand opening of the new Cheney Brothers location in Port St. Lucie. Cheney Brothers is one of the fastest growing food distribution companies in the United States. The new facility in Port St. Lucie has created 260 new jobs.

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis provided tips to protect Floridians from tax related fraud and scams as the federal tax preparation season begins.

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced the arrest of Angel Santos Tzunun for worker’s compensation fraud for allegedly concealing payroll to avoid paying a higher worker’s compensation premium. Fraud detectives determined that Tzunun concealed more than $2 million in labor costs from contractors and avoided more than $100,000 in workers’ compensation premiums on two separate insurance policies.

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced the arrest of Juana Ledezma and Luis Ledezma for Workers’ Compensation Premium Fraud and Grand Theft for allegedly concealing payroll to avoid paying a higher workers compensation premium. An investigation revealed that during the policy period, the Ledezmas would have been assessed an additional $127,660.00 in premium charges.

House Bill 989 (Representative LaMarca) – Department of Financial Services. This legislation creates the Florida Tax Advocate within the Department of Financial Services to assist Floridians with IRS related issues and complaints. It also renames the Division of Investigative and Forensic Services to the Division of Criminal Investigations. This bill also authorizes the State Fire Marshal’s office, which the CFO oversees, to create rules and regulations to prevent fires caused by lithium-ion batteries commonly found in electronic vehicles (EVs) such as scooters, hoverboards, golf carts, and battery-powered cars.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis issued the following statement recognizing Thursday, January 25, 2024, as NASA Day of Remembrance and honoring the brave men and women of Apollo 1, Challenger, and Columbia who lost their lives in the effort to expand America’s influence in space. This year will also mark the 55th anniversary of the Apollo 1 tragedy and the fifth anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Space Force.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis issued a statement following reports that federal agencies are asking financial institutions to search and flag Americans transactions if they used terms like “MAGA” or “Trump” or shopped at Dick’s Sporting Goods, Cabela’s or Bass Pro. The CFO is working with Legislators to propose new legislation to fight back against this federal overreach. To view the CFO’s thread on X, click HERE.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced his 2024 ‘Florida Fights for Freedom’ Legislative priorities. Among the CFO’s priorities are fighting back against the IRS, protecting first responders from the dangers of EV fires, supporting policyholders, safeguarding cryptocurrency assets, and barring state agencies from contracting with censorship companies like NewsGuard.

Today, Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis hosted the ‘Ringing of the Bell’ ceremony to honor Florida’s fallen firefighters. During the ceremony, 16 fallen firefighters were honored as their names were inscribed on the Florida Fallen Firefighter Memorial in The Florida Capitol Courtyard. The CFO was joined by families of the fallen firefighters, Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, Florida Legislators, local elected officials, and members of the Florida fire service community.

Today, Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced the filing of SB 1740 by Senator Ileana Garcia, which creates the Florida Freedom Fighters Fund. The fund would provide up to $5 million in financial support to Florida residents running for President who face legal, partisan, political attacks by the Department of Justice or State Attorneys.

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced that 117 banks in Florida signed the attestation agreeing not to politically discriminate, thereby designating as Qualified Public Depositories (QPD), which are banks who are legally allowed to accept public dollars which include state or local government funds. This follows the signing of House Bill 3 into law last year which works to prevent the qualification of a bank as a QPD, if they are engaged in any “unsafe and unsound practices” of canceling its services based on personal beliefs whether it be political, religious or any other factor that shows impartiality. QPDs will have to certify that they are in total compliance with the requirements of the bill. To view a full listing of QPDs, click HERE. Additionally, to submit a complaint, click HERE.

CFO Patronis Legislative Update for January 18, 2024

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis issued a statement in support of Senate Bill 460 by Senator Corey Simon. This legislation among many things would recruit students to trades, such as construction and would lower the age requirements for those who wish to work in construction-type jobs. The Bill was reported favorable by the Florida Senate’s Pre-K-12 Education committee on Wednesday.