I was honored to present the first award to Zechariah Cartledge—a 10-year-old boy from Winter Springs who runs one mile for every officer lost in the line of duty. Since then, we have issued more than 20 of these awards to citizens, organizations and law enforcement officers across our great state.
Take, for example, the police officer in my new hometown of Tallahassee that we recognized for his exceptional efforts to help first responders deal with mental health issues, or Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay for its mentoring program Bigs in Blue.
We have even honored two K9s who helped rescue a lost 3-year-old with the assistance of their Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office handlers.
The Back the Blue Award is designed to highlight Floridians taking extraordinary steps to support law enforcement and to forge positive relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
Do you know someone who fits this bill? Send us your nomination! Visit MyFloridaLegal.com for more information. By supporting our local law enforcement, we all help build a Stronger, Safer Florida.
In The News
CONSUMER ALERT: Beware of New Voice Cloning Technology Scams, Space Coast Daily
Deadline extended for victims of tech support scams in Florida, WPEC West Palm Beach
Florida’s attorney general brings the fight against opioids to Bradenton, Bradenton Herald
Opioid task force nears completion of strategy recommendations, Herald Tribune
Ashley Moody, Vern Buchanan stress importance of prevention for opioid abuse, Florida Politics
Ashley Moody Issues Consumer Alert on Voice Cloning Technology Scams, Florida Daily
Voice cloning could make the grandparent scam more dangerous, Consumer Affairs
Ashley Moody joins in multistate investigation of JUUL youth-focused marketing, Florida Politics
Florida attorney general joins 38 other AGs to combat JUUL, WFLA Tampa
‘A world of hurt’: 39 states to investigate Juul’s marketing, Associated Press
Drugmaker reached a billion-dollar deal to settle with Florida, other states over opioids, Miami Herald
Protecting Floridians
Attorney General Moody Kicks Off Statewide Task Force on Opioid Abuse Meeting Centered on Prevention in Manatee County
Attorney General Ashley Moody, Chair of the Statewide Task Force on Opioid Abuse, convened the Task Force’s second meeting of 2020 in Bradenton. The meeting focused on prevention efforts that could help end the opioid crisis claiming an estimated 15 lives in Florida each day. The Task Force heard from United States Representative Vern Buchanan, several state agencies and community organizations during the meeting.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “Prevention is such a vital component in the fight to end the opioid crisis in Florida and save lives. We lose 15 people every day to opioid abuse and that is why the work of our Statewide Task Force is so important. I want to thank Congressman Buchanan for joining us, and for his commitment to fighting drug abuse through his work in our nation’s capital. I look forward to continuing to partner with local, state and federal authorities to advance this important mission and save lives.” Read More
Attorney General Moody Announces $1.6 Billion Global Agreement with Opioid Manufacturer
Attorney General Ashley Moody announced that Florida is part of a nationwide settlement framework that would resolve the state’s claims with the largest manufacturer of generic opioid drugs in the United States. Florida joined the framework with Mallinckrodt and its subsidiaries. Mallinckrodt agrees to pay at least $1.6 billion in cash to a trust. Additionally, the company agrees that its future business will be subject to injunctive relief that precludes marketing of opioids and prevents diversion.Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “The opioid crisis is claiming 15 lives each day here in Florida. These opioid pill manufacturers deceived the public in their marketing of these highly addictive, sometimes lethal, drugs, and I am working hard every day to hold them accountable. This agreement is a step in the right direction towards providing relief for victims and protecting Floridians from this deadly epidemic.” Read More
Events
This week, Attorney General Ashley Moody convened the fifth meeting of the Statewide Task Force on Opioid Abuse in Bradenton. The Task Force is charged with developing a statewide strategy to identify best practices to combat the opioid epidemic through education, law enforcement efforts, prevention, recovery and treatment.
Attorney General Moody, joined by U.S. Congressman Vern Buchanan, former Florida Representative Jim Boyd and Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma, speaking before the meeting to discuss how the Task Force is finding methods to combat the opioid epidemic throughout the state.
Attorney General Moody welcoming police chiefs from across the globe to the International Association of Chiefs of Police Safety and Wellness Symposium in Miami.
Attorney General Moody with Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri in Miami. Attorney General Moody and Sheriff Gualtieri both serve as commissioners of President Donald J. Trump’s Presidential Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice.
Attorney General Moody with fellow commissioners of the President’s Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice. For more information about the Commission, click here.
Attorney General Moody and team members donating suits to Volunteer Florida for the fifth annual Suits For Session. Suits for Session collects new or gently worn business attire to help Florida job seekers.
Attorney General Moody speaking to Leadership Highlands representatives in Tallahassee.
